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NFL insider's educated guess on what the Steelers would receive in a T.J. Watt trade should solidify his future in Pittsburgh

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Rob Gregson | Last updated Jul 9, 2025 7:46 PM ET

For whatever reason, there is a lot of discourse surrounding T.J. Watt and his future with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Specifically, as it relates to a trade.

But if the Steelers were to even consider trading Watt (which for now, they aren't), what could they gather in return?

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network gave his best guess...

Steelers would have trouble fetching a first-rounder for Watt?

“What can you get, at this point, for T.J. Watt?” Tom Pelissero said on the Rich Eisen Show. “For one thing, a 2026 draft pick doesn’t help you. But even if you were getting a 2026 draft pick, is somebody giving up a first-round pick and more for T.J. Watt? Again, never say never, Rich, but when the Bengals were (at Trey Hendrickson’s request) shopping Trey Hendrickson earlier this offseason, they were asking for a first-round pick. They weren’t being offered a first-round pick for a guy who led the league in sacks last year and has like 35 sacks over the past two seasons."

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I understand that Watt and Trey Hendrickson aren't on the same level in the eyes of many. But Hendrickson, who is around the same age, and has been more productive the last two seasons on a far worse defense, would have been gone yesterday if the Cincinnati Bengals could net a first-round pick in return.

I'm not saying the same thing would happen with Watt, but if teams were calling and offering first-round picks, we probably would have heard about it by now, or at least beyond that the Steelers have seen an increase in calls.

So if Pelissero is right, and the Steelers netting a first-rounder is far-fetched, then you can bet Pittsburgh is going to be keeping Watt.

It's wild to think that things have gotten this far to begin with, but barring a Godfather offer, you can stamp Watt in the Black and Gold.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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