As the Steelers’ second week of OTAs commences, we’ll be waiting to see if the team’s biggest star, outside linebacker T.J. Watt, is there in attendance.

Watt is entering the last year of his four-year, $112 million deal, and hoping for a new one ahead of the season. Watt’s $28.2 million yearly average has since been surpassed by six other edge rushers, with the Browns’ Myles Garrett now earning a whopping $40 million per season.

The Steelers reportedly have a deal on the table for Watt. But will he and the team reach an agreement soon?

How much should the Steelers pay T.J. Watt?

Back in February, I suggested the Steelers give Watt a three-year, $90 million extension. Since then, new deals for Garrett and other edges have drastically raised the market, meaning Watt can easily demand a deal in the $40 million per year range.

At 30 years old and coming off a down statistical year by his standards, Watt is on the tail end of his prime. However, he’s in the same age range as the two highest-paid pass-rushers in the league right now, Garrett (29) and Danielle Hunter (30), and he’s had a stronger overall career than both.

At this moment, it seems likely that Pittsburgh will do anything it can to keep Watt, a legacy Steeler, around for his entire career. And with no franchise quarterback on the books, Pittsburgh has the cap space to do exactly that.

Still, he’s a 30-plus-year-old speed rusher, and it would be risky to invest too many years in Watt at a premium price. Something closer to two or three years near a $40 million average seems fair for both sides.

With Trey Hendrickson, the NFL’s reigning season sack leader, hoping for a new deal from the Bengals, the Steelers would be wise to get their deal done with Watt as soon as possible to get ahead of Cincinnati. That would put more financial pressure on the Bengals, and as the edge rusher market continues to explode, Watt at $40 million might look like a steal by the time his next contract nears its end.

How much do you think the Steelers will and should pay T.J. Watt? Do you think both sides will get a deal done before the season? Join the BTSC community and let us know in the comments!