T.J. Watt Trade Calls Rolling In As Eagles Odds of Blockbuster Revisted

T.J. Watt Trade Calls Rolling In As Eagles Odds of Blockbuster Revisted originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

With the race to NFL training camps heating up, the Philadelphia Eagles find themselves attached to yet another blockbuster rumor.

This time, it’s Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt drawing attention following a major Steelers trade and some alleged added unhappiness on the part of the star pass-rusher.

Earlier this offseason, Watt posted an image on his Instagram story showing himself walking off the field flashing a peace sign in full Steelers uniform. The post came without a caption, but its timing and tone quickly raised eyebrows.

Steelers insider Mark Kaboly added fuel to the fire, advising fans to “keep an eye on this T.J. Watt contract situation,” implying the image was no coincidence. Kaboly added, “I’d imagine an extension is still going to eventually get done, but the price tag just might be a tad bit higher than some anticipated.”

According to odds at that time, from BetOnline, the Eagles have the third-best chances (+500) to land Watt via trade, trailing only the New England Patriots (+300) and Seattle Seahawks (+400).

Has the likelihood of a deal changed since then?

While Watt is still under contract, he’s entering the final year of his current deal and is seeking an extension, potentially for more than $30 million APY … and maybe pushing Pittsburgh to weigh their options.

Multiple reports say teams are calling the Steelers to inquire; Pittsburgh sources are telling media members, “No thanks” to ideas of offers as the plan is to make this work with Watt on defense (and now Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay added) and with Aaron Rodgers and D.K. Metcalf added on offense.

But phone calls? The Philadelphia Eagles can make a phone call.

Philadelphia has a glaring need on the edge after losing Josh Sweat in free agency and seeing franchise legend Brandon Graham retire. Despite adding depth pieces like Josh Uche and Azeez Ojulari, the Eagles still lack a premier, game-changing pass rusher—something Watt would provide from day one.

Watt, a seven-time Pro Bowler and four-time First Team All-Pro selection, has established himself as arguably the league’s most dominant defensive player. He recorded 11.5 sacks and led the league with six forced fumbles in 2024, further cementing his status as a future Hall of Famer.

Spotrac projects his next deal at four years, $146 million—well above the extension he signed in 2021. Any team trading for him would need to offer a premium draft package and be prepared to negotiate immediately on a massive contract.

Fortunately for the Eagles, they’re uniquely positioned to make such a move. With 20 draft picks over the next two seasons, general manager Howie Roseman has the ammunition to build a compelling offer. The Eagles have already shown a willingness to go big under Roseman, with last year’s Saquon Barkley signing and midseason trades reinforcing the front office’s “win-now” mentality.

Adding Watt would give Philadelphia a terrifying defensive front when paired with interior monsters Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis. It would also help soften the blow of multiple veteran departures and extend the team’s championship window around quarterback Jalen Hurts.

While most analysts still expect Watt to remain in Pittsburgh long term, there’s no guarantee. If extension talks stall or Watt makes it clear he won’t play without a new deal, the Eagles are well-positioned to make a serious play.

For now, it’s speculation—but as Philadelphia’s aggressive front office has proven time and time again, anything is possible. And if Watt truly becomes available, the Eagles may be ready to strike.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.

T.J. Watt Trade Calls Rolling In As Eagles Odds of Blockbuster Revisted

Tags: