T.J. Watt has agreed to a new pact that will make him the NFL's highest-paid defender. The star outside linebacker will earn $123 million over the course of the three-year agreement.
What happened?
The deal was reported by ESPN and confirmed by a person with knowledge of the deal. The average annual value of $41 million eclipses the previous record contract for a defender set by Cleveland defensive lineman Myles Garrett.
Why it matters for T.J. Watt
The agreement is a significant milestone for Watt, who has long believed he is the best edge rusher in the NFL. The 31-year-old linebacker has been a perennial All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler.
What comes next?
Watt will now be a key part of the Steelers' defense, which will be relied on heavily if the team wants to end a playoff drought that stretches to the 2016 AFC Championship. The Steelers report to training camp at Saint Vincent College next Wednesday.
The new-look Steelers, now led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers, will look to Watt to lead their defense. Watt has 108 sacks in 121 regular-season games and has tied an NFL record by racking up 22 1/2 sacks in 2021.
Watt's extension is worth 2.5% more per season than Garrett's, whose overall total value of $204 million is still higher than Watt's. The deal is a testament to Watt's hard work and dedication to the sport.
The Steelers are taking a flyer on 2025, signing Rodgers and trading for veteran defensive back Jalen Ramsey. Watt will be a key part of this new-look team and will look to lead them to postseason success.
Watt appeared to celebrate by making a rare Instagram post on Thursday afternoon, sharing a picture of him flexing in his signature No. 90 jersey. Watt also posted a photo in his Instagram stories of him posing alongside protégé and third-year Steelers outside linebacker Nick Herbig.
The timing of the deal couldn't be better, with the Steelers reporting to training camp next Wednesday. Watt will now be able to focus on the upcoming season, knowing that his contract is secure.
And with the deal done, Watt can now look forward to leading the Steelers to victory. The team will be relying on him heavily, and he will be expected to perform at a high level.
But Watt is up for the challenge. He has been working hard in the offseason and is ready to take on the new season. The Steelers will be looking to him to lead their defense and make a deep run in the playoffs.
So what can we expect from Watt in the upcoming season? He will be looking to build on his impressive performance from last season, where he tied an NFL record by racking up 22 1/2 sacks.
The Steelers will be looking to Watt to lead their defense and make a deep run in the playoffs. With his new contract secure, Watt can now focus on the upcoming season and look to lead the team to victory.
Watt's deal is a significant milestone for the Steelers, who have secured their star linebacker for the next three years. The team will be looking to Watt to lead their defense and make a deep run in the playoffs.
The deal is also a significant milestone for Watt, who has become the NFL's highest-paid defender. He will be looking to build on his impressive performance from last season and lead the Steelers to victory.