T.J. Watt is now one step closer towards being a career member of the Pittsburgh Steelers after he reportedly agreed to a three-year extension that makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history in terms of average annual salary.

T.J. Watt's record-setting extension with the Steelers is already impacting the rest of the NFL — just ask the Chargers.

ESPN's annual league survey indicates that T.J. Watt remains elite, which further emphasizes that the Pittsburgh Steelers must extend him.

No defender in NFL history has received a contract like T.J. Watt's, and Pittsburgh Steelers legend and former teammate James Harrison believes he is worth every penny.

On Thursday, the news broke that the Pittsburgh Steelers and star edge defender T.J. Watt had agreed to terms on a huge new contract. The new four-year contract has a total value of $144 million, with $123 million in new money and $108 million of that guaranteed. Watt is now the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history on a per-season basis.

A T.J. Watt trade would be unforgivable. These three Steelers should be gone if it actually comes to pass. For an organization that is a perennial playoff regular and has six Super Bowl rings, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ recent conduct does not meet “The Standard” whatsoever.

ESPN ranked T.J. Watt as the second best edge rusher in the NFL ahead of the 2025 season. Only Myles Garrett ranked ahead of him.

ESPN polled NFL executives, coaches and scouts to rank all the pass rushers in the NFL and T.J. Watt fell just short of the top spot.

Myles Garrett is already the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, so it's only fitting he is regarded as the best player at his position by people around the league.

In ESPN’s annual survey that includes voting from league executives, coaches and scouts to help rank the top 10 players […] This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Myles Garrett Tops T.J. Wa