Are Steelers open to trading T.J. Watt after signing him to extension?

Following a saga that seemed to flirt with becoming a messy situation, the Pittsburgh Steelers and star pass-rusher T.J. Watt agreed to a three-year, $123M deal that included $108M guaranteed before veteran Steelers players began reporting to training camp last summer. 

Nevertheless, Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette suggested during a Friday appearance on Pittsburgh sports radio station 93.7 The Fan that general manager Omar Khan hasn't completely slammed the door shut on trading Watt this offseason.

How realistic is it that the Steelers would trade T.J. Watt?

"I do think Omar will at least throw some feelers out there and see if anyone is interested in T.J., but it's a big ticket. That contract is structured in such a way that it's [$42M] each and every year," Fittipaldo explained, per Ross McCorkle of Steelers Depot. "I can count on one hand the number of teams who are probably willing to do that. And then, even if they are, you have to come to terms with what you would want in return for T.J. Would you take a discount and say, 'Okay, I'll just take a second-round pick.' Would you do that if you're the Steelers?"

Logic suggests Khan would not do that for reasons that go beyond what Watt can offer the Steelers as a player. New head coach Mike McCarthy seemingly wasn't hired for a roster rebuild, and the Steelers' desire to have 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers return to serve as their starting quarterback for another campaign shows Pittsburgh is serious about pursuing at least a playoff berth next season. 

As for Watt, his value on the trade market may be lower than in previous years after he tallied seven sacks over 14 games this past season. He missed three straight contests late in the campaign due to a partially collapsed lung he suffered during a dry needling treatment session at the Steelers' facility. 

"Strong likelihood" Steelers, T.J. Watt storyline will have this ending

"There was a time where they could not consider trading T.J. because they didn't have the depth, but they have the depth now," Fittipaldo said about a Steelers team that features pass-rushers Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig. "So that's why I'm saying I think at least Omar, at the combine here in about a week or so, I think he will at least listen to offers or put it out there that maybe they would listen. But I don't think it's a strong likelihood of happening."

If nothing else, it sounds like an advertised championship contender could have Watt for the right price. Whether or not any team would pay that price is unclear as of the halfway point of February.