The Pittsburgh Steelers and All-Pro pass rusher T.J. Watt have reportedly agreed on a three-year, $123 million extension, which includes $108 million fully guaranteed at signing and a $41 million annual salary making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to ESPN's Adam Schefter on Thursday (July 17).
"ESPN sources: Steelers star TJ Watt has become the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history for the second time in his illustrious career, reaching agreement today on a three-year, $123 million extension that includes $108M fully guaranteed at signing. The $41 million per year average is the highest of any non-quarterback in NFL history. The deal has been in the works between CAA Sports and the Steelers front office for months," Schefter wrote on his X account.
Watt, 30, was entering the final year of his current deal with the Steelers and had previously missed the team's voluntary OTAs and mandatory minicamp. The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year had previously signed a four-year, $112 million deal in 2021, which included an estimated annual salary of $28 million.
The pass rusher market was, however, reset this offseason after Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett signed a new deal that averages $40 million annually and includes $123.5 million in guaranteed money, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.