The Pittsburgh Steelers are in an interesting spot with All-Pro edge rusher T.J. Watt. He is due for a new contract, as 2025 is the final year of his current contract. The Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns paid Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett, respectively, with the latter getting the most money for a non-quarterback in NFL history, making $40 million per year with $123.5 million in fully guaranteed money.

Watt is coming off a down year. His 11.5 sacks are his fewest in a full season since his rookie year in 2017. On top of that, he will turn 31 years old in October. Is it really in the Steelers’ best interests to give Watt a $40 million per year deal? It certainly seems like that’s what they are going to do regardless.

Speaking at Steelers OTAs, Watt’s fellow edge rusher Alex Highsmith said he is “very confident” a deal will get done between Watt and the franchise.

“I’ve been catching up with him all offseason. He really wants to be here. I’m very confident they’re going to get a deal done.”

#Steelers LB Alex Highsmith on T.J. Watt:

“I’ve been catching up with him all offseason. He really wants to be here. I’m very confident they’re going to get a deal done.” https://t.co/dMDdkxpH9v

— Aaron Becker (@Aaron_M_Becker) May 29, 2025

Again, it’s fair to ask if paying Watt, whose best days are very likely behind him, would be the right move when, frankly speaking, the Steelers aren’t contenders.