TJ Watt has once again made headlines with a milestone contract extension, solidifying his status as a superstar in the NFL. The Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker signed a three-year extension valued at $123 million, marking him as the highest paid non-quarterback in league history, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The reaction from his older brother, retired defensive legend J.J. Watt, was both humorous and proud. In a witty post shared on social media, J.J. joked about potentially having to pay for dinners now that TJ’s earnings have soared beyond his own. J.J. Watt, a future Hall of Famer with $129.7 million in career earnings, expressed his genuine pride with the words, “Earned. Deserved. Incredible,” highlighting the hard work and determination that led to TJ’s success.
TJ Watt, a standout from Pewaukee and a former Wisconsin Badgers star, has repeatedly proved his prowess on the field. His remarkable statistics include a tie for the most sacks in a single season (22.5 sacks in 2021) with legendary Giants player Michael Strahan. He’s led the league in sacks three times and is a six-time All-Pro, demonstrating his consistency and dominance in the defensive game.
As he prepares to enter the new phase of his contract in 2026, he’ll be taking home an impressive $41 million per season, with a whopping $108 million guaranteed. This contract also eclipses his previous earnings, which total approximately $110.9 million over his first eight seasons in the NFL. His previous lucrative contract of $112 million has set the stage for this record-setting deal.
In terms of comparisons, Watt’s new annual salary surpasses that of Myles Garrett, who recently signed a $40 million per year extension, though Garrett’s total contract value is higher as it spans four years. Notably, TJ made a bold statement by posting a photo of himself flexing in response to the news of his contract, emphasizing his hard-earned status in the league.
At 30 years old, Watt is in the prime of his career and shows no signs of slowing down. The upcoming seasons promise to showcase his extraordinary talents even further, making Steelers fans hopeful for many more impactful plays to come.