TJ Watt’s Record-Breaking Deal Redefines the Edge Market and Sets the Stage for What’s Next

After a prolonged wait, the Pittsburgh Steelers have officially reached an agreement with All-Pro edge rusher TJ Watt. The reported three-year, $123 million contract not only makes Watt the highest-paid edge rusher in the NFL by average annual value but also the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history. It’s a historic reset, both for edge defenders and all non-QB positions across the league.

This is the third time the edge market has been reset this offseason. Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett had each signed record-setting extensions earlier this year, only to be surpassed by Watt’s monumental deal. The pattern is clear: the longer teams wait to pay their star players, the more expensive those deals become. The Bengals and Cowboys, both of whom have high-end edge rushers entering critical points in their contracts, would be wise to take note.

There were questions about whether Pittsburgh would commit to Watt long-term due to his age, but the Steelers ultimately made the investment. Despite being on the older side for a premier pass rusher, Watt remains one of the most dominant players in the game. Since 2020, he leads all NFL players in sacks, and in this five-year span, it includes a year where he dealt with a torn pectoral muscle. During this same stretch, Watt has led the league in sacks in three separate seasons. While some have debated the “quality” of his sacks, and there’s more to the edge position than just quarterback takedowns, the truth is simple: sacks pay. And no one has produced more of them over that period than Watt.

Among the next group of edge rushers potentially in line for lucrative extensions are Micah Parsons and Trey Hendrickson, both of whom carry unique circumstances.

Parsons is widely considered one of the best young defenders in the NFL. While many top-tier players secure extensions ahead of their fifth-year options, as we’ve recently seen with Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson, Parsons plays for a Cowboys organization known for dragging out negotiations. Dallas waited until the eleventh hour to finalize deals with stars like Ezekiel Elliott, Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, Dez Bryant, and Zack Martin. Now it’s Parsons’ turn to navigate that process. Even if he plays out this season and receives the franchise tag, his next contract could very well eclipse Watt’s and set a new standard for all non-quarterback deals.

Trey Hendrickson finds himself in a situation similar to Watt’s. Now 30, Hendrickson is coming off back-to-back seasons with 17.5 sacks, yet remains underappreciated. Since 2020, only Watt and Garrett have recorded more sacks. Despite his production, the Bengals, who recently extended both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, granted Hendrickson permission to seek a trade, and a resolution remains unclear. As training camp and the season approach, his future should come into sharper focus.

Several other edge rushers are worth watching as potential market movers. Nik Bonitto has stacked two strong seasons and enters a contract year with a chance to earn a major payday if he continues his upward trajectory. Odafe Oweh, after playing a full season for just the second time in his career and recording double-digit sacks, could also command significant attention, provided he proves it wasn’t a one-off.

Other contract-year edge players who may benefit from Watt’s new benchmark include Boye Mafe, Malcolm Koonce, and Kwity Paye.

Looking ahead to the 2022 draft class, several players are approaching extension eligibility. Aidan Hutchinson, if he rebounds well from his recent injury, could reset the market himself. Travon Walker, once criticized as the “wrong” No. 1 overall pick, has quietly produced back-to-back double-digit sack seasons and is finally gaining deserved recognition. George Karlaftis has delivered three consistent, high-level seasons to begin his career and is another name to monitor closely.

A handful of other young edge rushers, Nolan Smith, Jermaine Johnson II, Arnold Ebiketie, and Kayvon Thibodeaux, could also put themselves in position for substantial deals with strong 2025 campaigns.

In the end, TJ Watt’s new contract isn’t just about rewarding a superstar, it’s about establishing a new benchmark. His impact will continue to be felt on the field and echoed across contract negotiations for years to come.