When Pittsburgh sent Minkah Fitzpatrick to Miami and acquired Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith, league-wide chatter intensified. Sources said “multiple teams have been discussing whether they can trade for Steelers’ standout T.J. Watt,” especially after he skipped mandatory minicamp in protest of his contract status .

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2. Steelers currently pushing for extension

Despite external interest, Pittsburgh has shown no intent to trade Watt. NFL insiders Tom Pelissero and Sports Illustrated confirm Steelers’ commitment to extend him, not move him . Talks continue as the organization tries to match his impact on the field.

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3. Watt’s contract demands & holdout

Watt enters the final year of his existing 4‑year, $112 million deal (signed in 2021, averaging $28 M annually). With contemporaries like Myles Garrett now earning ~$40 M per year, Watt is understandably pushing for a raise—especially after other key additions to the roster that bumped his leverage . He skipped minicamp to emphasize his stance, although Steelers expect a deal before regular season begins .

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4. Contenders reportedly ON alert

Several franchises are rumored to be monitoring Watt’s situation actively, ready to pounce if a stalemate emerges:

Detroit, flush with cap space, seeking elite edge help opposite Aidan Hutchinson

Green Bay, with draft pick considerations and Aaron Rodgers background relevance

Philadelphia, needing veteran edge power after losing Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat

Seattle and Washington, each with defensive ambitions and cap flexibility

It’s worth noting these are speculative suitors—no formal trade offers have surfaced publicly.

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5. Steelers’ strategic recalibration

By trading Fitzpatrick and George Pickens, drafting rising pass rushers like Jack Sawyer, and gauging interest in Watt, Pittsburgh appears to be indirectly signaling tension over long-term commitment . Yet they publicly insist Watt remains central to their “win-now” blueprint after acquiring Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, Ramsey, and Smith .

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6. Key stakes & what’s next

For Watt: Securing a market-leading extension (most estimates cite $35–40 M APY) before season start is crucial. He’s ranked among top edge rushers—108 career sacks, Defensive Player of the Year in 2021, seven Pro Bowls .

For Steelers: Holding firm sets a tone: they’re all-in this season and unwilling to trade their defensive anchor. But a sufficiently compelling trade package could sway them—particularly with emerging talent in the pipeline .

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📅 Timeline ahead

June 30, 2025: Schefter’s tweet confirmed heated leaguewide trade interest .

Early July: Steelers and Watt are in ongoing talks; both sides publicly optimistic about reaching a deal ahead of training camp.

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🧭 Final take

Pittsburgh appears poised to retain Watt and finalize a high-end deal. That said, with eagerness mounting elsewhere—and the team’s recent willingness to trade other stars—the possibility of a surprise trade can’t be ruled out if contract talks falter.

Here’s a quick snapshot:

🔸 Watt: Holding out, seeking MVP-caliber extension.

🔸 Steelers: Currently locked in on keeping him, building around him.

🔸 Potential suitors: Ever-ready in the wings—Detroit, Green Bay, Philly, Seattle, Washington among them.

Stay tuned—training camp this August could be a pivotal moment.

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