Steelers' T.J. Watt Tops '30 Over 30' List After Big Pay Day

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end T.J. Watt earned praise as one of the game's best players with his new contract that reached untouched heights. This weekend, Watt signed a three-year, $123 million extension with the Steelers that makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history by annual salary ($41 million).

Watt has undoubtedly earned this pay day after his fifth All-Pro selection in 2024, and if the new contract wasn't enough, he just earned more recognition in how he is ranked among his peers.

CBS Sports charted the top 30 NFL players over 30 years old regardless of position, and the Steelers' star topped the list at No. 1.

"Watt is still considered one of the best pass rushers in the NFL, and one of the best players in the league," Jeff Kerr wrote. "The Steelers pass rusher had 53 pressures, 11.5 sacks, and 27 quarterback hits last season -- in what may have been considered a down year for him." 

Watt, who turned 30 in October, earned Second Team All-Pro honors this past season to end a streak of First Team nods from 2019-2023 in seasons where he played more than 10 games (2022 was limited to just 10 and was the only year he didn't make the top All-Pro team during that stretch).

"Watt's 108.0 career sacks are the third-most by a player since sacks became an official stat in 1982 -- and the most in the NFL since the start of the 2017 season (Watt's rookie year). Watt averages 0.89 sacks per game in his career, the highest in NFL history," Kerr added.

After a seemingly drawn-out contract wait, the inevitable came to light and Watt re-signed to stay in the Steel City where he will enter Year 9 in 2025.

The 2022 Defensive Player of the Year had 11.5 sacks, 61 tackles, and a league-high six forced fumbles last season. This year, his defense saw a shakeup in the secondary with a trade for cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who ranks No. 22 on the "30 over 30" list.

Pittsburgh's most notable offseason moves, aside from making Watt the league's highest-paid non-QB for the second time, was the acquisition of another future Hall of Famer in Aaron Rodgers and a big contract to trade get receiver DK Metcalf.

The Steelers are now loaded with proven stars aiming to return to the playoffs and capture what would be their first postseason win since 2017 - Watt's rookie season.

Their $123 million veteran is a big part of that pursuit.