“We’re reading into cryptic social media posts at 9:03 in the morning here,” NFL insider Ian Rapoport said, referencing TJ Watt’s cryptic post on Wednesday. The Steelers‘ 7-time Pro Bowl edge rusher decided to send the Steel City into a frenzy of assumption with his social media activity. Him posting a photo holding a peace in the offseason didn’t sit right in the NFL community. Some believed this could be the end of Watt’s 8-year run in black and gold. While some still had faith in the Steelers doing what should be done with their former NFL defensive Player of the Year. So, with the NFL divided in their thoughts of Watt’s cryptic post, Rapoport gave his analytical insight. But whatever he said may not be music to the Steelers Nation.

These days, social media has turned into more than just a platform where athletes post about their accomplishments or even failures. However, TJ Watt not attaching any words to his photo serves a completely different purpose. Of course, he wants the fans to speculate about his future. Just think about it: Why does someone in the offseason post himself in a uniform without any plausible reason? That’s why Rapoport was forced to talk about it live on air, “When a player makes a social media post, it forces us to talk about it on TV.” 

Now, the reason he believes Watt posted a cryptic photo amid contractual drama is because “the negotiations aren’t going as well as anybody had hoped.” He also went on to add, “I think we can safely say the contract talks between TJ Watt and the Steelers are not off to a riveting start.” Watt, who is expected to make $21 million, is probably hoping for a proposal close to Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby.

Garrett and Crosby were both the highest-paid non-QB for a few days before Ja’Marr Chase’s $161M contract extension. Now edge rushers like Garrett and Crosby may not be the highest-paid non-QB anymore. But seeing how the edge rushers market has exploded, Watt is probably hoping he doesn’t get left out. With only a year left on his $112M deal, Watt will soon hit free agency in 2026. So, to avoid any last-minute contractual face-off, the Steelers should give Watt the deal he deserves.

The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year has been truly sensational ever since he joined in 2017. So, if there’s anyone who deserves an extension in Steel City right now, it’s Trent Jordan Watt.

JJ Watt had already warned the Steelers about TJ Watt’s contract

3-time Defensive Player of the Year winner JJ Watt had been sending mayday signals to the Steelers regarding his brother’s contract. “Reward your players earlier and reap the benefits in the long run. Dragging it out not only ends up costing more, it creates unnecessary tension. The longer you wait, the higher the price,” JJ said last month. Now, the Steelers have found themselves in the exact situation JJ had warned them about. Like those warnings went into deaf ears; now the Steelers have to suffer for ignoring the early signs. This edge rushers market had already been reset. Garrett and Crosby are now sitting in close to $40M per season contracts. Soon, it will be Micah Parsons or Aidan Hutchinson and even Trey Hendrickson (NFL sack leader with 17.5 sacks).

So, the longer the Steelers wait, the more Watt’s value will continue to go up. Still only 30, Watt even edges Garrett in most sacks since the 2019 season. 88 to Garrett’s 82. And if you look at his overall contribution since 2017, Watt has been nothing but a menace to QBs. In his 121 career games, Watt has accumulated 108 sacks. He even led the league last season in forced fumbles (6), which shows his invaluable importance.

Now it’s totally up to the Steelers. They can choose whether they want to keep Watt in Steel City or want him to play for some other franchise. If they don’t want to see him in anything other than black and gold. The Steelers should give him what he wants, whatever it takes to keep him wrapped behind the Steel Curtain.