Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Key Points

Recent reports say TJ Watt could fetch a 2nd rounder at most in a potential trade.
Could a new head coach, Mike McCarthy, spark trade rumors for Watt?
Watt, being 32 years old and having a $42 million cap hit, could make it difficult.

Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

The Pittsburgh Steelers have a ways to go to become contenders after swapping head coach Mike Tomlin for Mike McCarthy, but one of the big questions they’ll have to answer is the future of superstar TJ Watt.

Watt is under contract with Pittsburgh for the next three seasons, with a cap hit of ~$42 million each year, but there is an easy out after the 2027-28 season. The debate right now is whether Watt gives Pittsburgh more production at age-32 or if the cap space and draft picks in a trade would be better.

In recent days, a TJ Watt trade has been swirling in the Pittsburgh Steelers media, which has caused us to discuss a potential landing spot with the Buffalo Bills.

The Bills have their own new head coach, Joe Brady, and a defense that needs a serious overhaul as well. Let’s break down why this move could be a possibility.

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“The most the Steelers could probably get in a trade this offseason for TJ Watt is a 2nd round pick.” Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo.

“The Steelers should trade TJ Watt.” – Steelers insider Nick Farabaugh.

While this isn’t Adam Schefter or Ian Rapoport breaking this news, it is still valuable information, especially for Pittsburgh fans. After these reports broke, a Steelers beat writer, Jarrett Bailey, broke down his top-five landing spots for Watt:

Dallas Cowboys
Washington Commanders
Green Bay Packers
Buffalo Bills
San Francisco 49ers

The Cowboys could make sense with their excess draft picks, but an aging pass rusher doesn’t make sense there after they drafted away Micah Parsons to avoid his contract. The Commanders undoubtedly are a team that should make this move, but they don’t have a 2nd round pick.

The Packers are an ideal spot, as that would be a Wisconsin homecoming for Watt, but they just gave Parsons a mega-contract. The 49ers spent a 1st rounder on Mykel Williams, and are getting Nick Bosa back from injury. So that leaves us with the Bills.

Why the Buffalo Bills?

Here’s what Bailey said in his article about the Buffalo Bills:

“The Bills took a swing at an aging edge rusher back in 2022 when they signed Von Miller. It looked as if that was going to be a tremendous signing for about half a season before Miller tore his ACL on Thanksgiving that season.

After another disappointing playoff loss that led to a head coaching change of their own, general manager Brandon Beane needs to get aggressive to get as much proven talent on the roster as possible. Putting Watt alongside Greg Rousseau with Michael Hoecht rotating in would give Buffalo a very nice trio.”

Undoubtedly, the pass rusher spot is a hole that needs to be filled, especially if Joey Bosa does not return. The Bills have Greg Rousseau, but rather than him being an elite pass rusher, his best value comes as an elite run defender.

The Bills have seemingly had quality names along their defensive line, and with Deone Walker and Ed Oliver on the interior, there is something to work with. The problem with that is the Bills want to build a unit that fits alongside the best in the NFL, and that would need to have a dominant pass rusher.

If I’m the Buffalo Bills, the biggest concern is the current cap situation as they’re -$9 million below the cap right now, and a $42 million cap hit does not seem worth the problems it would cause.

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