T. J. Watt Trade Talk Grows After Steelers Give Nick Herbig $100 Million

The Steelers’ first major extension of the offseason changed the edge-rusher picture fast. Pittsburgh signed Nick Herbig to a four-year, $100 million contract, and the move has put t. j. watt and Alex Highsmith back into trade conversation.

Pittsburgh Steelers Edge Room

Before the deal, all four outside linebackers were expected to stay. Watt and Highsmith led the group, while Herbig and Jack Sawyer were projected to come off the bench. That setup no longer looks fixed after Pittsburgh locked in Herbig on a deal that puts real money into a room built around pass rush depth.

The contract also gives the Steelers more room to consider a different roster shape this offseason. Instead of carrying four outside linebackers as planned, they may now move either Watt or Highsmith if the right trade market develops.

Chicago Bears And Detroit Lions

Five teams are mentioned as possible trade partners if Pittsburgh decides to deal one of its established edge rushers. The Chicago Bears stand out because they are entering their Super Bowl window with Caleb Williams, Ben Johnson and several dominant offensive players, and they could use another elite pass rusher.

The Detroit Lions are another fit. They need an edge rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson and know they have to win now if they are going to win a Super Bowl, with Dan Campbell under pressure after last year’s disaster of a season.

Watt and Hutchinson would form the NFL’s scariest tandem, while Highsmith would not be far behind as a partner for Hutchinson. That is the part that turns Herbig’s extension from a simple payday into a roster decision with ripple effects across the trade market.

For now, Pittsburgh has one major extension in place and a crowded outside linebacker room behind it. If the Steelers shop Watt or Highsmith, the Bears and Lions already have the clearest fit among the teams named as potential landing spots.