The Philadelphia Eagles have been confirmed to fortify their team after an eventful season. one key trade links Eagles top a top versatile edge rusher.
Top stars storyline is developing as he is currently holding out of training camp. He seeks a new, potentially record-breaking contract. He remains one of the NFL’s elite defensive players, and the standoff has sparked speculation about his future in Pittsburgh.
The Philadelphia Eagles are the frontrunners to land Watt if he is traded, giving them +300 odds. The Eagles are followed by the 49ers (+400), Lions (+600), and Patriots (+700). The reasoning? Philadelphia has a significant need at edge rusher, a wealth of 2026 draft capital, and the cap space necessary to absorb Watt’s future contract demands.
Still, as The Sporting News‘ Ryan Oleary points out, any team pursuing Watt must weigh more than just his talent:
“While Watt is a transformative talent and arguably the top game-wrecking pass rusher in the NFL, you’re not only trading premium draft capital for the superstar player, you’re trading for his entire situation.”
So while Philadelphia’s GM Howie Roseman is known for bold moves, the financial and draft implications make a Watt trade far from guaranteed — even for a team in win-now mode.
Steelers’ Stance on Watt
The Pittsburgh Steelers are clearly hoping to resolve their contract standoff with T.J. Watt before it reaches a breaking point — particularly before free agency opens the door for him to leave without compensation. In a worst-case scenario where Watt departs, the Philadelphia Eagles become an even more logical destination, since they could sign him outright without giving up draft capital.
That said, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin made it clear he doesn’t envision Watt going anywhere.
When asked about Watt’s holdout, Tomlin didn’t express alarm, nor did he hint at any trade possibilities:
“Um, no,” Tomlin said, per CBS Sports, when asked if he had anything specific to say about the situation. “Certainly, we’d like him to be here, but certainly not surprised by where we are. We’ve expressed a desire to get the business done. He has as well. And so we’ll continue to be here. We’ve been here before.”
Tomlin’s comments suggest confidence that both sides will work out a deal — and that the Steelers have no plans to entertain offers from teams like the Eagles or anyone else. Watt, widely regarded as one of the top edge rushers in the league, remains a cornerstone of Pittsburgh’s defense, and both his value and leadership make him nearly irreplaceable.
What Could a Watt Extension Look Like?
As the T.J. Watt contract situation continues to unfold, speculation around what a new deal might look like is heating up. According to CBS Sports, the Pittsburgh Steelers star could be seeking a three-year, $121.5 million extension, which would make him one of the highest-paid non-quarterbacks in NFL history.
This potential deal would come on the heels of Watt’s previous contract saga in 2021, when he attended minicamp and training camp but refused to practice—a “hold-in”—until the Steelers rewarded him with a four-year, $112 million extension just before the season started. Given that history, CBS Sports sees a repeat of that pattern as the most likely outcome.
“Why should anyone expect a different outcome this time? Watt is synonymous with the Steelers as the heartbeat of Mike Tomlin’s defense, and Pittsburgh is all in on 2025; this feels like a when, not if, situation,” CBS Sports wrote.
Watt’s production backs up such a massive deal. He remains arguably the best edge rusher in the NFL, and at 30 years old, he’s still playing at an elite level. For a Steelers team that just signed Aaron Rodgers and appears to be going all-in for a playoff run, locking up Watt with a record-setting contract could be both a symbolic and strategic move to keep their defensive identity intact.