NFL analyst begs the Pittsburgh Steelers to trade star EDGE T.J. Watt following massive contract extension for Nick Herbig
The Steelers seem adamant on keeping T.J. Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Nick Herbig together for at least one more season. According to Colin Cowherd, the Steelers need to be working the phones to send their star to a new team.
When the Pittsburgh Steelers inked Nick Herbig to a four-year contract extension that totals a $100 million, they told you their plans for the future. But what everyone wants to know is what the Steelers’ plans are for the present?
This is a team that now has three EDGE defenders who will be making starting-caliber money come 2027, leaving many to believe that either Alex Highsmith or T.J. Watt will be the odd man out. Colin Cowherd is one of them, and he’s begging the Steelers to let go of Watt.
T.J. Watt 2025 stats
- 55 total tackles.
- 7 sacks.
- 2 interceptions. 2 fumble recoveries.
Colin Cowherd begs the Steelers to trade T.J. Watt
“Go get a first-round pick,” Cowherd said. “T.J. Watt gets you a first round pick, it’s not that difficult. The Giants got a top-10 pick for Dexter Lawrence off an off-season. The Ravens were going to give up two first-round picks for Maxx Crosby.”
“They’re the worst poker players in the world,” added Cowherd on the Steelers. “Right now they have the second-oldest and the most expensive defense. Nothing disqualifies you more for a Super Bowl than an old and expensive defense… Guys, evolve. Move off older players!”
The issue with trading T.J. Watt
I think that if someone came to the Pittsburgh Steelers right now and offered a first-round pick and no worries about the contract, Watt would be traded within the hour. But that’s not happening, because teams won’t come offering a 1st for Watt.
Not because he’s not a good player, but you have to consider everything in a trade of this magnitude. Another team isn’t only trading for Watt, they are trading for his contract, one that he signed last offseason in what was a record-setting deal and would likely be viewed as an albatross now.
It’s a what you have done for me lately, league. After a dominant 2023 campaign where many believed Watt was robbed of a Defensive Player of the Year award, injuries and a regression in his fist step explosion have generated 17 total sacks over the past two seasons.
That, coupled with a deal that incurs cap hits north of $40 million dollars for the remaining life of the deal and Watt heading into his age 32 season, makes a 1st round pick potentially out of range in Pittsburgh.