One year remains on T.J. Watt‘s contract, and he could be the next high-profile edge rusher in the NFL to secure a notable payday. An extension is known to be on the Steelers’ to-do list, and further signs are pointing to one being worked out. 
When speaking to the media about Watt’s situation and the shifting financial landscape for edge rushers, general manager Omar Khan replied, “I’ll just say that I’m very hopeful that T.J. will finish his career as a Steeler” (h/t team reporter Dave Lolley). Pittsburgh has seen Maxx Crosby (Raiders) and, shortly thereafter, Myles Garrett (Browns) reset the position’s market this offseason. The latter is now attached to an AAV of $40MM.
Watt’s current deal – his 2021 extension – is worth just over $28MM on average. The former Defensive Player of the Year is in line for a raise based on the continued upward movement of the cap, although it remains to be seen what the terms of a third Steelers contract will look like. Watt has previously indicated his desire to remain in Pittsburgh past the coming campaign, so a mutual interest between team and player should help yield progress at the negotiating table.
Stating an extension for the seven-time Pro Bowler is “just a matter of when and how much,” Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Show predicts Watt will agree to a pact in the range of three years and $105MM in new money. He adds it is unlikely an extension will move the 30-year-old back to the top of the position’s pecking order, but a renewed commitment will of course represent a major cap commitment for Pittsburgh. Watt has logged a full season each of the past two years, totaling 30.5 sacks and 10 forced fumbles during that stretch. While age will be a consideration in his case, expectations will be high once a new pact is in hand.
The Steelers already have Alex Highsmith on the books for another three years (although none of his scheduled base salaries over that stretch are guaranteed). The former third-rounder has proven to be an effective complementary option to Watt, recording at least six sacks each year since becoming a full-time starter. Highsmith’s scheduled cap hits range from $18.6MM to $21.1MM, though, so keeping Watt in the fold on a more lucrative deal will bring about financial challenges for Pittsburgh.
Watt is currently scheduled to collect $21.05MM next season with a cap hit of $30.42MM. An extension could lower the latter figure while meeting the team’s goal of keeping him in the fold for the foreseeable future. No timeline is in place for an agreement to be worked out, but doing so before the likes of Micah Parsons, Trey Hendrickson and Aidan Hutchinson have new deals with their respective teams would likely allow for a lower price tag.