TJ Watt earned a massive new contract and his big brother JJ couldn’t be more proud.
The Pittsburgh Steelers pass rusher is now the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL.
TJ Watt has signed a massive new contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers[/caption]
Watt’s new contract is nearly more than his brother JJ made in his entire career[/caption]
Watt skipped Steelers OTAs and minicamp, and was set to sit out of training camp while seeking a new deal.
He was even linked to trade talks if the Steelers couldn’t get a contract done.
However, the two sides were able to come to an agreement and made Watt one of the highest-paid players in the league.
Watt signed a three-year, $123 million deal with the Steelers on Thursday.
The contract includes $108 million in guarantees.
It just slightly edges out the annual value of Myles Garrett’s contract, who is making $40 million per season.
After the deal was announced, JJ was quick to celebrate his brother on social media.
“Earned. Deserved. Incredible,” he posted on X.
The value of TJ’s new contract nearly surpassed his brother’s career earnings from 12 years of playing.
JJ earned just under $130 million in 12 years with the Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals.
He joked that his brother always needs to pick up the check when they go out to eat now.
“I swear, if this guy even lets me begin to reach for my wallet at dinner,” he posted.
JJ and TJ will go down in history as one of the greatest sibling duos in NFL history.
In 12 seasons, JJ compiled 114.5 sacks, 195 tackles for loss, 586 total tackles, 27 forced fumbles, and three defensive touchdowns.
He is a five-time Pro Bowler, five-time All-Pro, three-time Defensive Player of the Year, and a Walter Payton Man of the Year Award winner.
NFL important dates 2025 season
March 12 – Free Agency begins
April 24-26 – NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin
September 4 – 2025 season opener (TBC vs Eagles)
November 27 – Thanksgiving Day triple header
January 4, 2026 – End of regular-season
February 8, 2026 – Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California
His numbers could have been even more impressive, but JJ had four seasons compromised by injury where he played eight games or less.
Meanwhile, in just eight seasons TJ is already creeping up on his brother’s stats.
He has 108 sacks, 126 tackles for loss, 462 total tackles, 33 forced fumbles, and one defensive touchdown.
TJ is a seven-time Pro Bowler, four-time All-Pro, and a Defensive Player of the Year.
Both Watt brothers are nearly guaranteed to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Only one other pair of brothers is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Sterling and Shannon Sharpe.
