Beat Writer: Steelers Can Make Watt NFL’s Highest‑Paid Pass‑Rusher—On Paper, At Least
By Steelers Depot • June 23, 2025
A creative contract structure could technically crown T.J. Watt the NFL’s top-compensated pass rusher—while reality tells a different story. That’s the pitch from Steelers beat reporter Chris Adamski, who says Pittsburgh could engineer an extension that inflates Watt’s average annual value (AAV) to around $40–41 million, even if the cash flows don’t match .
On KDKA Sports Showdown, Adamski floated the idea of structuring the deal with voidable years and non-guaranteed future earnings. “You can creatively void years or non‑guarantees,” he said, allowing the AAV to surge on paper without the team being fully committed long-term .
Pittsburgh Post‑Gazette insider Gerry Dulac underscores the delicate balancing act as both sides push for an agreement. With Cleveland’s Myles Garrett commanding $40 million per year, Watt’s camp is pushing fiercely—but the Steelers remain cautious . Dulac recounts how Watt showed his resolve by skipping mandatory minicamp this spring, mirroring his 2021 hold-in before securing his current four-year, $112 million contract .
Still, analysts believe Watt’s deal will trail Garrett’s mark. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport suggests Pittsburgh “is going to try and not make him the highest-paid edge rusher” . Among elite edge rushers this offseason, only Maxx Crosby’s $35 million AAV and Garrett’s $40 million-plus deals have set the pace—and Watt is expected to land somewhere near the $30 million threshold that trailing stars like Cincinnati’s Trey Hendrickson did .
In Pittsburgh, the franchise tag remains a fallback—though neither side wants that showdown. The tag would yield a fully guaranteed one-year payout based on the top-five positional salaries, but lacks long-term structure . Both the Steelers and Watt seem eager to avoid unrest—but neither appears ready to concede fully.
Adamski cautions: a flashy AAV doesn’t tell the full story. Until guarantees are signed and money hits the bank, Watt won’t eclipse Garrett in reality—league rules and clever cap gymnastics notwithstanding.