Is trading T.J. Watt ahead of 2025 season 'off the table' for Steelers?

Shortly after ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Monday that
"multiple teams have been discussing whether they can trade for Pittsburgh Steelers standout pass-rusher T.J. Watt" this offseason, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero shared that the Steelers "have no intention of trading" the 30-year-old who wants a lucrative contract extension. 

During a Monday appearance on Pittsburgh sports radio station 93.7 The Fan, Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette hinted the club hasn't necessarily closed the door on any outcome regarding the Watt saga. 

"The Steelers still want to do a deal with T.J., but T.J. has to be receptive to it. It can't be just a one-way deal where the Steelers are the only ones who are negotiating there," Fittipaldo explained, per Josh Carney of Steelers Depot. "So I don't have a firm grasp on exactly what T.J. wants, but I do know that he's not happy right now with what the Steelers are offering. So listen, nothing is off the table. I'm not saying they would trade him. I'm not saying what Schefter is saying is wrong. ...I set my expectation is still for T.J. to sign with the Steelers. But as of right now, three weeks before training camp, things aren't going great in that regard."

Schefter said during Monday's edition of "The Pat McAfee Show" that Watt is not "particularly pleased" with the offers he has received after Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns signed a four-year, $160M deal that included $123.5M guaranteed earlier in the offseason. Along with Watt, Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys and Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals are seeking extensions that could reset the market for players at the position ahead of September. 

Watt is signed through the 2025 season, but he showed in 2021 he's willing to "hold in" during training camp as a way to protest not receiving an extension to his liking. Pittsburgh players are due to report for this year's camp on July 23. 

The Steelers made multiple win-now moves following their wild-card playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens this past January. They handed wide receiver DK Metcalf a five-year contract worth $150M after they acquired him from the Seattle Seahawks, signed 41-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers and agreed to pick up both cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a pick swap. 

Such transactions suggest the Steelers wouldn't be willing to lose Watt this summer. However, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reported on Monday night that Watt "is ready for any outcome and not afraid to push the issue."

"The two sides are, we’re told, nowhere close on a new deal," Florio added about the situation involving the Steelers and Watt. 

Watt hadn't yet publicly requested a trade as of the morning of July 1, but he could embrace such a tactic to make it known he's serious about not playing for the Steelers later this year without having an extension in hand.