Steelers' Latest Roster Move Could Spell Bad News for TJ Watt

The Pittsburgh Steelers locked up a key piece of their defense on Tuesday, and it may have major ramifications for one of the team's other big stars.

Pass-rusher Nick Herbig was a key component of Pittsburgh's defense last season, totaling a career-high 48 pressures, 27 hurries, 13 QB hits, and 7.5 sacks. That breakout season earned him a lucrative contract extension.

"Edge Nick Herbig and the Pittsburgh Steelers reached agreement today on a four-year, $100 million dollar extension that includes $42 million guaranteed per @MikeGarafolo and me," ESPN's Adam Schefter reported.

While Herbig's extension is great news for him personally and the Steelers defense as a whole, it could spell bad news for star edge-rusher T.J. Watt.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler speculated last month that a Herbig extension could prompt the Steelers to potentially trade Watt, who is making $41 million per year and is due $32 million fully guaranteed next season.

"If the Steelers end up signing Herbig long term, having three large contracts allocated to one position is a tough proposition," Fowler reported. "Watt, for all his greatness, turns 32 in October and has guaranteed salaries of $32 million in both 2026 and 2027. Watt is a legacy player, something Pittsburgh values more than most. But some teams could see Pittsburgh at least considering moving on from him."

With Herbig's new deal, the Steelers have $83 million per year tied up in three defensive players (Watt, Herbig, and Alex Highsmith).

And although Watt is still an excellent pass-rusher, he'll turn 32 a few weeks into next season while Highsmith is only 28 and Herbig only 24.

Keeping the two younger pass-rushers along with defensive tackles Cam Heyward (53 pressures, 43 hurries, six QB hits, 3.5 sacks) and Keaanu Benton (33 pressures, 19 hurries, seven QB hits, 5.5 sacks), the Steelers could be inclined to trade Watt for a bounty of draft picks and use of them to draft a young stud edge-rusher in the loaded 2027 draft like Texas' Colin Simmons, South Carolina's Dylan Stewart, Miami's Damon Wilson II, Oregon's Matayo Uiagalelei, or Michigan's John Henry Daley.

Based on what the Cleveland Browns just got for Myles Garrett, if the Steelers did trade Watt, they could presumably get a package of at least a first-round pick plus a second- or third-rounder.

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This story was originally published June 2, 2026 at 9:11 PM.