Steel Curtain Secured: Steelers Sign T.J. Watt to Record-Shattering $170M Deal, $130M Guaranteed—Making Him One of NFL’s Highest-Paid Stars and Surpassing Myles Garrett’s Browns Contract

 

The Pittsburgh Steelers have officially locked in superstar edge rusher T.J. Watt with a massive four‑year, $170 million contract extension, including a jaw-dropping $130 million in guaranteed money. The deal not only cemented Watt’s status as one of the highest-paid players in NFL history, but also leapfrogged Myles Garrett’s recent four‑year, $160 million extension with the Cleveland Browns.

 

Watt, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2021) and a seven-time Pro Bowler, has been the defensive anchor of the Steelers since entering the league in 2017. His new average annual value surpasses $42 million per season—well ahead of Garrett’s $40 million per year average—and underscores Pittsburgh’s commitment to preserving its dominant defensive identity .

 

Negotiations had been closely watched after Watt skipped mandatory minicamp earlier this summer to press for a top-tier contract. Reports circulated that he could command north of $40 million annually, though league insiders cautioned that final terms might land slightly below that projection . The Steelers and Watt’s camp now appear to have found common ground, offering a deal that guarantees elite pay while preserving cap flexibility.

 

Under his previous contract extension signed in September 2021, Watt was poised to earn $112 million over four years with $80 million guaranteed—making him then the highest-paid defensive player in football . The new agreement significantly builds on that foundation, reflecting both his sustained excellence—108 career sacks, five Deacon Jones Awards, and back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year honors—and Pittsburgh’s need to keep its cornerstone defender intact.

 

At 30, Watt remains at the peak of his powers, transitioning into veteran leadership territory. With this new pact, he stands alongside the NFL’s elite earners—quarterbacks and defensive stars alike—ensuring the Steelers retain a generational talent long-term.

 

The blockbuster contract not only reshapes the defensive market, but also sends a strong message: Pittsburgh is all-in on building around Watt’s relentless pass-rush, determined to revive its Super Bowl aspirations with their defensive cornerstone locked in for years to come.