Reports have suggested the Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t interested in trading star edge rusher T.J. Watt amid a contract dispute, but the team may at least be considering it now.
According to Steelers insider Mark Kaboly, Pittsburgh has been making calls around the league to gauge what Watt’s trade value might be. Kaboly says the Steelers are “doing their due diligence.”
While that certainly doesn’t guarantee Watt will be traded, it is a departure from rumors we’ve seen of late and at least opens the door for such a move.
Watt is reportedly seeking to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL, which would mean he wants a contract that surpasses the annual average of wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase’s, which is $40.25 million per.
But it’s pretty clear the Steelers don’t want to give him that much or else it would be done by now. It’s pretty obvious why that’s the case, as Watt is set to turn 31 and is coming off a down season in 2024.
Watt held out from mandatory minicamp, and that could extend into training camp, which is set to begin in a little over a week.
If neither side budges, a trade could materialize, although we wouldn’t expect that to happen anytime soon. The Steelers will likely wait as long as possible in the hopes of getting something done.
The problem with dealing the seven-time Pro Bowler is the Steelers would be losing a key member of their defense who is impossible to replace ahead of a season in which Pittsburgh is clearly going for it.
That gives Watt at least some leverage in negotiations and could lead to the Steelers ultimately caving to his demands.
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