The Pittsburgh Steelers made All-Pro pass-rusher T.J. Watt the highest-paid defensive player in the league before the 2021 season at around $28 million per year, and ESPN's Dan Graziano suggests the best way for the Steelers to knock down Watt's team-high $30.4 million salary cap number in 2025 is to give him an extension as he heads into the final year of his previous extension. A new extension could be much trickier to navigate, though, and could drag well into the offseason. Watt is 30 years old now and will be in a market in which both Myles Garrett and Micah Parsons will be looking to set the edge-rusher market. Even though Watt had 11.5 sacks (down from 19 in 2023), he was still plenty disruptive with 61 tackles (40 solo), 19 tackles for loss, 27 QB hits, four pass breakups and a league-high six forced fumbles in 17 regular-season starts. He's injury-prone, but you know you're getting a beast in IDP leagues when he's healthy.
Steelers Could Consider Extension For T.J. Watt This Offseason
Pittsburgh Steelers owner and president Art Rooney II hinted that the team will look at possibly extending star linebacker T.J. Watt, who is entering the final year of his current deal in 2025, this offseason. "That's something we want to look at this offseason. T.J. has been one of the foundations of the defense for quite a number of years now. And certainly hope we can have T.J. for the future, beyond this year," Rooney said. Although the former 30th overall pick in 2017 out of Wisconsin has had his fair share of injuries in his eight years in Pittsburgh, the seven-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro remains one of the most disruptive defenders in the NFL when he's on the field. He had 61 tackles (40 solo), 11.5 sacks and a league-high six forced fumbles in 17 regular-season games in 2024 and has a whopping 108 sacks for the Steelers in his career. It would be a surprise if he doesn't sign an extension with Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (ankle) has been removed from the injury report and will play in Week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens. The 30-year-old has not yet missed a game this season, registering 54 tackles, 11.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries through 14 games this season. Having their star defender available will be key for the Steelers as they look to slow down an impressive Ravens offense on Saturday.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (ankle) was upgraded to a limited practice participant on Wednesday after he didn't practice on Tuesday. Meanwhile, safety DeShon Elliott (hamstring) and cornerback Donte Jackson (back) didn't practice, while defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (groin) was limited. Watt suffered a low-ankle sprain late in the Week 15 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, but the Steelers have been hopeful that he can play in a big divisional clash on Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens. The 30-year-old's ability to return to practice on Wednesday is a sign he's trending in the right direction, although another upgrade to a full-go on Thursday would be ideal. Fantasy managers should be fading Pittsburgh's defense in fantasy against a high-scoring Ravens offense this weekend, but especially if Watt is unable to play. He's a must-start in IDP formats if he's active on Saturday.
T.J. Watt Suffers Low-Ankle Injury In Loss To Philadelphia
Per Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, outside linebacker T.J. Watt (ankle) sustained a low-ankle injury in Sunday's 27-13 loss to their in-state rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles. The superstar pass-rusher picked up his ailment on the game's final drive when rushing quarterback Jalen Hurts. His body appeared to contort weirdly while trying to get by the Eagles' offensive line, and his leg got stuck in the ground. He immediately came up limp. Before his exit, the 30-year-old registered seven tackles, two sacks, and a fumble forced. In excellent news, Watt's X-rays were reportedly clean, and for now, he's evaded the dreaded high-ankle variety of the injury. The Steelers will square off against the Baltimore Ravens next Sunday in a matchup with playoff-seeding repercussions, so Watt likely wants to be available for it. There will be an update on him over the coming days.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt was a full participant in practice Tuesday. Watt was listed as a DNP on Monday's practice estimate but it appears to have been a rest day for the eighth-year veteran. Watt is arguably the most important piece of a talented Steelers defense. He has recorded 7.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in 2024. With the Steelers set to play the Cleveland Browns and a turnover-prone Jameis Winston in Week 12, Watt could have a field day. The Steelers are rolling in 2024. They sit atop the AFC North with a 8-2 record. Thursday Night games tend to be defensive struggles which bodes well for Watt's production. As such, the Steelers D/ST could be excellent in this game if they can to force turnovers out of Winston.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt (knee) will not play in Sunday's wild-card playoff game in Buffalo against the Bills. Watt suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee in the Week 18 regular season finale win over the Baltimore Ravens last Saturday. It was a best-case scenario for the 29-year-old pass-rusher given the way the injury actually looked on the field, but Watt won't be available this weekend and might not be able to play in the Divisional Round if the Steelers pull off the upset over the Bills without him. We wouldn't put it past Watt to be ready if Pittsburgh advances, but the bottom line is that the Steelers defense is going to be missing their best player in a tough matchup on the road against the Bills, who were one of the hottest teams down the stretch in the regular season.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt's (knee) brother, J.J. Watt, said that his younger brother is facing a best-case scenario after getting hurt in Saturday's Week 18 win over the Baltimore Ravens because he's dealing with a Grade 2 MCL sprain. Everything else in Watt's knee is intact, so he's expected to only need a couple weeks of rest and recovery before he's good to go. The 29-year-old All-Pro pass-rusher hyperextended his left knee in the second half of Saturday's game when he came down on his teammate's foot. The Steelers have yet to clinch a playoff spot and need some help on Sunday, but if they get in, it's looking like they won't have their best player on defense for the wild-card round, barring a miraculous recovery in a week's time. Watt is one of the most dynamic defenders in the game and finished the regular season with 68 tackles, a league-leading 19 sacks, eight passes defensed, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and an interception.
According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (knee) suffered a torn MCL during Saturday's win over the Ravens. It's not good news for Pittsburgh, who still has a chance at earning a postseason berth. However, although he'll undergo further testing, the team may be without their top defensive option throughout the postseason. Watt had a remarkable 2023-24 campaign and will finish with 19 sacks, one of the best marks of his career, so his absence isn't ideal for a Steelers defense that's been a top-10 unit this season.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (knee) won't return to Saturday's Week 18 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. The superstar pass rusher exited in the third quarter after suffering a knee injury. Before exiting, Watt recorded two sacks and three tackles. His absence is certainly a huge hit for the Steelers defense. The hope is that this is a minor issue and Watt will be fine for the postseason, assuming the Steelers are able to make the postseason.
