T.J. Watt is now the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
The Steelers’ star linebacker agreed to a three-year, $123 million contract extension with Pittsburgh on Thursday, according to multiple reports.
The deal includes Watt being fully guaranteed $108 million at signing and the AAV of $41 million makes it the highest deal for any non-QB position player in NFL history, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported.
Steelers star TJ Watt has agreed to a three-year, $123 million contract extension. Getty Images
The ESPN insider had also reported that the deal had been in the works for months before it was agreed upon on Thursday, roughly a week before the Steelers kick off training camp.
There had been uncertainty about Watt’s future with the team, with the seven-time Pro Bowler having sat out of mandatory minicamp in June due to the contract dispute.
It had been previously reported that Watt had wanted to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league’s history, with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac saying as much as recently as earlier this month on “The Rich Eisen Show.”
The agreement’s average annual value of $41 million eclipses the previous record contract for a defender set by Cleveland defensive lineman and reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett in March.
Watt’s annual average salary is also tick above what Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase received when he (briefly) became the league’s highest-paid non-quarterback a few days after Myles Garrett agreed to terms with the Browns.
Watt has seven double-digit sack seasons since he came into the NFL in 2017 and has the most sacks — 108 — in that span.
TJ Watt reacts during a Steelers game in November 2024. Getty Images
He tied Michael Strahan’s single-season sacks record of 22.5 in 2021.
Earlier in the day, 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.
Watt had the support of his teammates for the team to get some sort of deal done, with Cam Heyward jokingly saying on “The Rich Eisen Show” earlier this week that he would tell general manager Omar Khan “that’s not happening” if the Steelers thought of trading Watt.
“I want [Watt] to get paid what he deserves,” Heyward added. “That dude is one of the most fierce and best players in our league. And he’s respected throughout the league. I’ve had the best time being able to play with him, and I hope this year is not the last time we play together, because that dude, that’s my running mate, and we create a lot of havoc together. And I just want to see that guy continue to be a Pittsburgh Steeler, and be a one-helmet guy.”
— with AP