Steelers Trading T.J. Watt to Patriots Will not Possible Occur—This is Why

As NFL offseason rumors intensify, one title has unexpectedly landed on the commerce block in fan circles: T.J. Watt, the franchise face of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ protection. With the New England Patriots rumored as a possible vacation spot, followers are intrigued a few blockbuster commerce that might rock the league.

But let’s separate reality from fiction—that is extraordinarily unlikely, and this is why.

Steelers Still Contending, Not Rebuilding

The Steelers are usually not a workforce in rebuild mode. They’re coming off 10 wins final season and are very a lot nonetheless within the AFC playoff image. Even with questions at quarterback nonetheless lingering, Pittsburgh is concentrating on competing in 2025, not imploding its core, in accordance with Sports Illustrated.

Trading Watt, a previous NFL Defensive Player of the Year, could be an unlimited change in route—one thing the workforce has not a lot whispered about.

Watt Extension Talks Are Inevitable

Watt is within the final yr of his contract, and sure, there’s a little little bit of stress relating to contractual phrases. However, this does not occur within the NFL continuously.

Most typically, top-level gamers and organizations in the end agree. With Watt’s affect on the sphere and out of doors of it, the Steelers ought to be greater than keen to deal with signing him to a brand new extension as an alternative of contemplating commerce bids.

There’s an excessive amount of historical past, management, and worth in retaining Watt in black and gold.

Steelers Would Avoid an AFC Trade—Especially to New England

If the unthinkable occurred and Pittsburgh did commerce Watt, there’s little to no probability it will be to a rival inside the AFC, least of all of the Patriots. The Steelers haven’t any cause to bolster a franchise they’ve clashed with in a number of playoff showdowns over the past twenty years.

If something, Watt could be despatched to the NFC, removed from Pittsburgh’s postseason path.

Patriots’ Needs Don’t Align With Watt’s Price Tag

On the opposite hand, the Patriots could be pondering if they may match Watt’s asking wage.

T.J. Watt is 30 and coming off his final sack season whereas wholesome since 2017, with 11.5 sacks in 2024. Although nonetheless nice, his greatest years, maybe, are dwindling.

For New England, nevertheless, a membership in the midst of a rebuilding course of, parting with a first-round alternative (and extra belongings) solely to signal an enormous contract to an growing older edge rusher is just not by the established plan.

It’s an costly gamble for a workforce that requires building-block gamers, notably at quarterback and huge receiver.

This Trade Just Isn’t Happening

While NFL followers take pleasure in splashy commerce hypothesis, the T.J. Watt to New England scenario is fantasy, not actuality. The Steelers aren’t buying and selling Watt when in win-now mode, and the Patriots aren’t going to commerce off the farm for a veteran go rusher approaching his downward spiral.

So, for the second, search for Watt to be the Steelers’ defensive face—and search for this rumor to dissipate as quick because it started.

Aaron Rodgers going to the Steelers has a much bigger probability of taking place than Watt being a New England participant.