Report: Steelers expect new T.J. Watt deal by start of season

The Pittsburgh Steelers are confident that discussions with All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt will result in a new contract before the start of the season, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported on Monday.
The newspaper added that a deal may not be completed anytime soon.
Watt, 30, is looking for a revision to his deal as he enters the final season of a five-year, $112 million contract that features a guaranteed $80 million.
Per the Post-Gazette, the price tag for Watt might have risen when Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett landed the NFL’s richest contract for a defensive player in March: four years, $160 million, $123.5 million guaranteed.
Watt was selected to the Pro Bowl each of the past seven years, and he made first-time All-Pro in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023. He was the NFL’s 2021 Defensive Player of the Year after making a career-high 22.5 sacks.
In 2024, Watt led the NFL with six forced fumbles while logging 11.5 sacks, 61 tackles, four passes defended and two fumble recoveries in 17 games.
Over his eight-year NFL career, all with the Steelers, Watt has 108 sacks, 462 tackles, 33 forced fumbles, 12 fumble recoveries, 49 passes defensed and seven interceptions.