Steelers, T.J. Watt Deal Just Got Much Bigger

A Las Vegas Raiders star's new contract could have a major impact on Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt.

Dec 8, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) at the line of scrimmage against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images / Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Amidst an unceasing news cycle in the NFL this week, one storyline in particular could have a significant effect on how the Pittsburgh Steelers go about conducting business this offseason.

There's a number of standout pass rushers who are in line to receive new contracts in the coming months, and the first domino fell on that front when Maxx Crosby agreed to a three-year, $106.5 million deal with the Las Vegas Raiders on Wednesday.

Las Vegas Raiders are signing Pro Bowl DE Maxx Crosby to a three-year, $106.5 million extension that includes $91.5 guaranteed, making him the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history, per sources.

For the third time in four years, the Raiders are addressing the contract of… pic.twitter.com/TKdIQdqqia

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 5, 2025

Crosby, who was guaranteed $91.5 million upon signing, is now the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, as his average annual value (AAV) of $35.5 million surpasses the $35 million mark Justin Jefferson reached with the Minnesota Vikings last June.

As for the Steelers connection within this entire situation, T.J. Watt is one of the aforementioned players who will seek an up-to-date contract and look to best the number that Crosby landed in Las Vegas.

The Steelers star once held the record for the largest deal handed to a defensive player in league history when he signed a four-year, $112 million extension in September 2021.

As Watt enters the final year of that pact, which includes no guaranteed salary and a $30.418 million cap hit, it's more or less a formality that he'll get his wish of a re-up with Pittsburgh.

Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers previously topped the leaderboard for the most expensive AAV amongst edge rushers at $34 million, which is the mark Watt had his sights on.

That amount jumped only marginally by $1.5 million with Crosby's arrangement, but it puts the pressure on the Steelers to accelerate talks and hammer out an agreement with Watt before the likes of Micah Parsons, Myles Garrett and Aidan Hutchinson reset the market even further.

Extending Watt would free up $15.836 million in cap space according to Over the Cap, perhaps providing extra incentive for Pittsburgh to sort out the situation as quickly as possible.

The Steelers won't let the 30-year-old go anywhere, but negotiations have become a bit more complicated.

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