TJ Watt contract: JJ Watt makes ‘wallet’ joke after brother lands ‘deserved’ $123m Pittsburgh extension
TJ Watt has more than 1.1m Instagram followers, while JJ tops 4.3m
NFL legend JJ Watt aimed a jibe at his brother, TJ, after the linebacker agreed a three-year extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers in a record $123 million extension.
Four-time All-Pro edge rusher Watt will be the highest-paid defender in the NFL, eclipsing the previous high set by Myles Garrett’s $160m deal with the Cleveland Browns in March, which was over four years.
“I swear, if this guy even lets me begin to reach for my wallet at dinner,” joked JJ Watt, sharing a graphic on social media showing that TJ has earned $129.7m in his career so far.
Steelers fans had been concerned that Watt would end his eight-year spell with the team during an off-season in which general manager Omar Khan’s moves included a trade for DK Metcalf, free-agent signing of Aaron Rodgers and replacement of Minkah Fitzpatrick with Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith in a deal with Miami.
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TJ Watt Steelers contract ‘incredible’
Watt, who will be 31 in October, did not feature at a mandatory mini-camp but has now committed to Pittsburgh for four years.
He appeared to confirm the agreement by sharing a photo of himself celebrating while playing for the Steelers on social media.
“Earned. Deserved. Incredible,” added JJ Watt, also sharing statistics showing that Pittsburgh have a 79-44-2 record with TJ Watt in the team and a 1-11 ledger without.
TJ Watt stats
The Steelers signed Wisconsin college player Watt as the 30th pick in the first round of the 2017 draft, giving him a guaranteed $9.25m for four years and a signing bonus of almost $5m.
A Pro Bowl perennial between 2018 and 2024, Watt was the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and won the Deacon Jones Award for the most regular-season sacks in 2020, 2021 and 2023.
He is poised to be part of one of the best defenses in the NFL after the Steelers – already strong at the back – added Ramsey, Derrick Harmon and Darius Slay.
Rodgers also has two reliable tight ends to locate in Metcalf, Robert Woods and Scotty Miller, with running backs Jaylen Warren and Kaleb Johnson holding the potential to help Pittsburgh affect the playoffs.
Watt’s deal also beats the $40.3m average agreed by Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase as the highest paid non-quarterback.