T.J. Watt signed a three-year, $123 million extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but analyst Brad Gagnon included his contract among the NFL's least favorable deals.
## What happened?
The Steelers signed T.J. Watt to a lucrative deal, ensuring he remains a part of their defense.
But Gagnon pointed to a decline in production, with Watt's sack numbers plummeting from 19 in 2023 to 11.5 in 2024 to 7 in 2025.
## Why it matters for T.J. Watt
This was Watt's first relatively full non-All-Pro season since 2018, indicating a decline is well underway, according to Gagnon.
The contract's financial implications could be significant for the Steelers, with Gagnon considering it one of the NFL's worst deals.
## What comes next?
T.J. Watt will look to bounce back from a disappointing season, with the Steelers facing a concerning reality regarding their defensive lineup.
And the team's decision to sign Watt to a long-term deal may be scrutinized if his production continues to decline.
The Steelers face the Packers on August 13, with T.J. Watt expected to play a key role in their defense.
So the upcoming game will be a crucial test for Watt and the Steelers.
T.J. Watt's contract extension was signed in 2023, with the deal worth $123 million over three years.
The Steelers' decision to sign Watt was likely influenced by his impressive performance in previous seasons.
But the decline in production has raised questions about the deal's value, with Gagnon citing the drop in sack numbers as a major concern.
Gagnon, an analyst for Bleacher Report, wrote about the contract's implications on June 12.
The Steelers will be looking to T.J. Watt to lead their defense in the upcoming season.
With the Packers game looming, the Steelers will be hoping for a strong performance from Watt.
The team's defense has been a key factor in their success in recent years, with T.J. Watt playing a major role.
But the decline in production has raised concerns about the team's ability to compete with top teams.
The Steelers will be looking to address these concerns in the upcoming season, with T.J. Watt's performance a key factor.