What Ben Roethlisberger said about TJ Watt holdout, referencing Pittsburgh Steelers culture, ‘there’s got to be…’

TJ Watt’s contract frustrations and Roethlisberger’s explanation

The Steelers pass rusher has been an All-Pro in five of the last six seasons, four of which were first-team selections. He was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2021, has led the NFL in sacks a record three times, while tying Michael Strahan’s 2001 record of 22.5 sacks in a single season.

Now in 2025, Watt is entering the final year of his deal and wants to lock in on a long-term contract before he takes the field for the upcoming season. He last signed an extension in 2021, putting his signature to a four-year, $112 million deal, with an average salary of just over $28 million per season.

To his credit, Watt has played on that deal without conflict, despite quickly outperforming himself on the field. The value is now outdated, with Myles Garrett signing a new contract worth $40 million per season, and Maxx Crosby getting $35.5 million per year on his three-year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Ben Roethlisberger talked about the ongoing frustrations with the Steelers star on his YouTube channel, named ‘Channel Seven’.

“The Pittsburgh Steelers have almost always been defense. Let’s find a way to get a defense. I’ve told any running back or rookie that comes in here, the Pittsburgh Steelers will always be about defense, and a running back.”

He went on to explain that he’d had that conversation with the likes of James Conner and Najee Harris, to help them understand early that the Steelers will always prioritize building a stellar defense.

He went on to talk about the TJ Watt situation specifically:

“They want to build a defense that can stop people, and that’s what they’re investing in… and they still have to invest in one more guy.”

When discussing TJ Watt, Roethlisberger explained: “There’s got to be, somewhere in this thing, there’s got to be a hangup between the two. It might only be one thing, it could be three or four things.”

The Super Bowl-winning QB went on to explain that it could be as simple as the guaranteed money in the fourth year of the deal. The first three years might be fine, but the two sides could be split on year four.

That would make sense, considering TJ Watt will turn 34 during that fourth season on the new deal.

The recent acquisition of Jalen Ramsey, as well as earlier moves in the offseason, including the DK Metcalf trade, point towards Pittsburgh going all in with one season of Aaron Rodgers.

That said, if the two sides can’t agree, the Steelers could be forced into a potential trade scenario.

TJ Watt on the trade block and a landing spot that makes sense

This is a situation NFL Analysis has covered throughout the offseason, while maintaining that the Detroit Lions would make the most sense in a potential trade.

If TJ Watt were to be traded, the chances are it would only be to a contender. Whoever is willing to make the deal needs to be in a position to win, considering the capital they’d have to give up and the money they’d have to pay him on arrival.

Pittsburgh are almost certainly not going to send him to a contender in the AFC, which would rule out the likes of the Buffalo Bills, who would otherwise be a potential suitor.

That then leads to candidates in the NFC, including the Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers.

While Watt would be outstanding alongside Nick Bosa, the Lions should chase down the trade harder considering their lack of proven depth off the edge, and the injury Aidan Hutchinson suffered last season.

Hutchinson is expected to be full-go this season, but he is working back from a gruesome lower leg injury that could impact his power for a while yet. While still on his rookie contract, the Lions could make a case for allocating the resources to another pass rusher.

TJ Watt wants to cap off his career with a Super Bowl, and while he seemingly wants to see out his career in Pittsburgh, the potential for winning a ring elsewhere could be tempting.