No defender in NFL history has received a contract like T.J. Watt’s, and Pittsburgh Steelers legend and former teammate James Harrison believes he is worth every penny.
“All you got to do is look at his body of work, it speaks for itself,” Harrison told TMZ Sports while also calling Watt “the best defensive player in the league over the course of the last five, six, seven years.”
Watt and Pittsburgh agreed to a three-year, $123 million deal that made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
“I don’t really see any other option for them other than to pay the man what he deserves,” Harrison, who played alongside Watt with the Steelers in 2017, said.
Perhaps there was some concern from the Steelers giving Watt such a lucrative deal since he will turn 31 years old next season, but it is impossible to argue against the Wisconsin product’s production since they selected him with a first-round pick in 2017.
His resume includes four First-Team All-Pro selections, the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year and seven Pro Bowl nods. He led the league in sacks three different times, including when he tied for the NFL single-season record of 22.5 during that 2021 campaign.
Watt is also just one season removed from when he led the NFL with 19 sacks in 2023.
Even when he experienced a downturn in the numbers last season, he was a Pro Bowler who posted 11.5 sacks, a league-best six forced fumbles, four passes defended and two fumble recoveries.
Those types of numbers would be brilliant for most players in the league.
What’s more, Watt’s presence is a multiplier for the Steelers, as it opens up blitzing lanes for his teammates because of the consistent double teams he draws. If he can continue doing that and posting double-digit sack totals over the course of his contract extension, he will be well worth it.
Just ask Harrison.
