On Wednesday, TJ Watt posted a picture of himself showing off a peace sign. This created chaos on social media, with some analysts speculating it to be some kind of rift between the linebacker and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now, it’s still not clear what the player meant with that pose. But what’s clear is: the contract negotiations with the 30-year-old are either not going well, or perhaps even worse.

If we analyze the path of the Steelers, the franchise usually waits late in the offseason to deal with extensions. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Last year, even the team captain Cam Heyward skipped OTAs. The reason was simple – he wasn’t happy with how his contract was being handled.

Now, it’s TJ Watt’s turn. According to Steelers’ reporter Mark Kaboly, “I don’t think [the contract negotiations have] gotten out to a raring start,” between Watt and the Steelers. “At this point, I wouldn’t worry much about it right now. I think it would eventually get done. There’s a ton of money out there. If this was August, maybe I’m worried. Right now, I’m not worried at all.” So Mike Tomlin’s stance? A plain and simple ‘wait and watch’.

So, does that mean Mike Tomlin and the Steelers are just waiting for their right time, i.e, August, to pay TJ Watt? If we believe in what Kaboly said, it seems that the franchise has good money and the right plan to work with Watt. But the pictures posted by the athlete surely suggest that he is frustrated by the delay. Perhaps, he too will be waiting, opting out of the OTAs and perhaps more until the next deal is done.

And let’s be real – we all know where TJ Watt wants to land. Somewhere near that massive deal Myles Garrett got, as his latest demand has been revealed.

TJ Watt wants to be the highest-paid non-QB?

This offseason, the Browns paid Myles Garrett way more than anyone else at his position. He landed at $160 million in new money over the four new years. That means the defensive end will earn an average of $40 million per year, briefly being the highest-paid non-QB (before being tipped by Ja’Marr Chase‘s $40.25 million AAV). But the Steelers? They could’ve locked TJ Watt in earlier, before that deal changed everything. But they didn’t.

So now? TJ Watt’s demand has reportedly increased. According to Mark Kaboly, “He wants (to be) paid more than Myles Garrett. Period.” That means more than $40 million a year. Remember, in 2021, Watt didn’t sign his last deal until September. He was tired of the back-and-forth and finally said, “Let’s just accept it and move on.” So, perhaps Mike Tomlin’s team is also re-creating that moment with their player once again. Hence, jumping to trade rumors for now seems bizarre, because Watt’s not going anywhere. Even if he asked for it, the Steelers don’t have to say yes. And honestly? You don’t let a guy like him walk.

TJ Watt is entering the season in his final year of the contract. In 2025, he is expected to earn $28 million APY. In 2024, via StatMuse, the player recorded 40 solo tackles, 21 assists, 11.5 sacks, and 2 fumble recoveries in 17 games. In fact, he also got his seventh Pro Bowl nod. Hence, he reportedly finds it worthwhile to ask for over $40 million per year. But it remains to be seen when the Steelers start a conversation with his agent, because, as per Kaboly, no one’s broken the ice yet!