T.J. Watt Becomes NFL’s Highest-Paid Non-QB

T.J. Watt is entering training camp with a historic new contract. 

On Thursday, the star Steelers edge rusher agreed to a three-year, $123 million contract with $108 million fully guaranteed. The deal was first reported by ESPN.

The $41 million average annual salary just beats Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase’s $40.25 million to make Watt the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott’s record-setting $60 million annual salary remains the NFL’s highest overall, underscoring how quarterbacks continue to shape the financial ceiling for all positions.

Watt, 30, has played his entire career in Pittsburgh after being selected 30th overall by the Steelers in the 2017 NFL Draft. The younger brother of former Texans star J.J. Watt, T.J. has been a four-time All-Pro and was the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2021. That year, he tied Michael Strahan’s single-season sacks record of 22.5. 

No player has more sacks than Watt’s 108 since he entered the NFL eight years ago. 

Watt’s career earnings thus far are roughly $111 million, according to Spotrac, which he will more than double with his new contract. This season, Watt is slated to make $21 million as part of a four-year, $112 million contract he signed in 2021. 

The deal has broad implications for two other star edge rushers: the Cowboys’ Micah Parsons and Bengals’ Trey Hendrickson. The 25-year-old Parsons has spent months discussing negotiations on his podcast, saying Dallas owner and GM Jerry Jones should call his agent about a deal. The 30-year-old Hendrickson has said he will not play without a new contract, and he reportedly asked for a trade in March. Top players tend to reset the market at their position when signing new deals, as we saw multiple times this offseason.

The deal concludes a massive offseason for the Steelers, who also signed Aaron Rodgers and traded for DK Metcalf and Jalen Ramsey. The team is expected to open training camp on Wednesday.