Cryptic T.J. Watt Instagram post stirs Steelers trade rumors

There are plenty of rumors about who may be joining the Steelers.

And now there is plenty of chatter about who may be leaving.

Longtime defensive star T.J. Watt had the rumor mill working overtime after posting Wednesday an Instagram Story featuring him flashing a “peace” sign.

Now, sure, Watt could just be having fun with some folks. As an eight-year veteran, he likely knows how a post like that would be interpreted in the offseason.

No reports have emerged since the post indicating a trade is close, although there’s always the chance that Watt knows more than the rest of the world.

A possible explanation could be that Watt perhaps is trying to put a little pressure on the Steelers with just one year left on his contract in an offseason where star pass rushers are being paid.

This offseason has featured the Browns signing Myles Garrett to a record extension — after he previously requested a trade — that made him the then-highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, only for Ja’Marr Chase to top him soon after.

The Raiders also rewarded Maxx Crosby with a three-year, $106.5 million that — you guessed it — briefly made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history.

Watt, 30, is on the same level as those two players, having won Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 and finishing in the top four five of the past six years, including a fourth-place finish this past season.

He’s tallied 108 sacks in his career, including three league-leading seasons. The former first-round pick notched 11.5 sacks this past season in 17 games.

Watt is scheduled to earn $21.05 million this upcoming season to finish his four-year, $112 million extension, but that is far below Crosby and Garrett’s new average annual values.

The Steelers recently acquired DK Metcalf and rewarded him with a new deal and it’s possible Watt is wondering why he’s still waiting for new compensation.

Pittsburgh owner Art Rooney II said in January he wants to keep Watt in Pittsburgh.

“That’s something we want to look at this offseason. T.J. has been one of the foundations of the defense for quite a number of years now,” Rooney said, as reported by The Athletic. “And certainly hope we can have T.J. for the future, beyond this year.”

As Watt’s future is dissected, the Steelers are waiting to see if Aaron Rodgers will sign with the team or if they will need to draft a quarterback.

Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders is scheduled to meet with the team Thursday amid rumors he could slide in the draft, with the Saints at No. 9 now favored to select him, per FanDuel.

Pittsburgh, drafting 21st, has the third-best odds to land Sanders.