The Pittsburgh Steelers made a major trade on Monday, sending five-time Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey and one-time Pro Bowl tight end John Smith. The deal also involved some draft pick swaps. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Ramsey is set to receive a $1.5 million salary increase this season, with a total earning of $26.6 million in 2025, of which only $3 million will come from the Dolphins.
Meanwhile, John Smith secured a one-year contract extension worth $12 million, as confirmed by Shefatta. As the Steelers committed big money to these new players, concerns arose regarding the veterans already on the roster, including seven Pro Bowl players and All-Pro linebacker TJ Watt.
Watt is reportedly dissatisfied with his current contract situation, and there is a high likelihood of other teams pursuing him following some tensions at the team’s headquarters this past week. ESPN sources noted that multiple teams have been in talks about a possible Watt deal recently, though Pittsburgh has emphasized that Watt aims to remain a lifelong Steeler.
The 31-year-old Watt is entering the last year of his $112 million, four-year extension from 2021, during which he won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. The pass rusher market shifted after Miles Garrett signed a record-setting contract with the Cleveland Browns earlier this offseason, making $40 million per year—$12 million more than Watt’s current deal. Watt is projected to earn $2.105 million in 2025.
In search of a new contract, Watt has sat out voluntary OTAs and the mandatory mini-camp. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport recently reported that no contract negotiations are currently underway. Watt, Pittsburgh’s first-round pick in 2017, has accumulated 108 career sacks—5.5 more than Garrett—ranking him sixth among active NFL players.
Over his career, Watt has frequently recorded double-digit sacks and consistently pressured opponents, aside from two of his eight seasons in the league. In 2024, the University of Wisconsin product tallied 11.5 sacks, 61 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss, six forced fumbles, and four pass deflections.
Watt has been the cornerstone of Pittsburgh’s defense in the AFC North despite the team’s lackluster offense, which has ranked below 16th in points per game over the past four seasons. The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since 2016 but are determined to break that streak in 2025, which explains their addition of several veterans this offseason, including quarterback Aaron Rodgers, wide receiver DK Metcalf, cornerback Darius Slay Jr., and now Ramsey and Smith.
While Watt is expected to remain with the team, the recent trade has intensified speculation from other teams about his availability.
Fan Take: This blockbuster trade highlights how the Steelers are doubling down on veteran talent to make a serious playoff push, signaling a high-stakes season ahead. For NFL fans, it underscores the evolving landscape of team-building where star players and contract negotiations can dramatically shift the balance of power in the league.
