After the Pittsburgh Steelers acquired cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith, several NFL teams are kicking the tires on a T.J. Watt trade.
Will The Pittsburgh Steelers Trade T.J. Watt?
Steelers have been adamant they want T.J. Watt to finish his career in Pittsburgh. https://t.co/eRVzeuTjZo
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 30, 2025
Watt is adamant about wanting a new contract before the 2025 season. So far, the Steelers have been unwilling to match Watt’s contractual demands.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, multiple teams have discussed a potential trade for Watt. Despite the interest, the Steelers want Watt to finish his career in Pittsburgh.
Watt is entering the fourth and final year of his $112 million deal. Watt’s average annual salary of $28 million is the seventh-highest among edge rushers.
Cleveland’s Myles Garrett shattered the pass rusher market earlier this offseason with a four-year, $160 million deal, with $123.5 million guaranteed. Garrett is the only defensive player who averages $40 million annually.
Watt and the Steelers have been attempting to negotiate a new deal. The 30-year-old sat out the team’s mandatory minicamp this month to vent his frustration over the lack of a new contract.
In Watt’s mind, he likely feels that he should be on Garrett’s salary level, considering his 108 career sacks are more than the 102.5 from the Browns star.
Watt is a six-time All-Pro and the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Steelers Make Significant Changes To Their Roster
The Steelers added a pair of quality players in a trade with Miami for Minkah Fitzpatrick.
How they fit: Jalen Ramsey, Jonnu Smith https://t.co/3H5QBHH49C
— Dale Lolley (@dlolley_pgh) June 30, 2025
The Steelers made significant roster changes on Monday.
The Steelers traded safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for Ramsey, Smith, and a 2027 seventh-round pick.
The Steelers will raise Ramsey’s 2025 compensation by $1.5 million to $26.6 million, with Pittsburgh footing most of the bill. Smith will sign a one-year, $12 million contract extension.
Despite giving up an All-Pro safety in Fitzpatrick, the Steelers add an All-Pro cornerback in Ramsey to pair with Joey Porter Jr. and Darius Slay.
Ramsey is widely considered one of the 10 best cornerbacks in the NFL. The 30-year-old is a three-time All-Pro and a seven-time Pro Bowl selection.
Ramsey started all 17 games for the Dolphins last season and recorded 60 total tackles, 11 passes defensed, and two interceptions.
Meanwhile, Smith set Dolphins’ records for a tight end in 2024 with 88 receptions and 884 receiving yards. Smith will be paired with Pat Freiermuth to provide security blankets for new quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
