Reporter explains Steelers' alleged stance on trading T.J. Watt

As recently as Tuesday, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter insisted that the Pittsburgh Steelers "have zero intention of trading" star pass-rusher T.J. Watt amid Watt's desire for a big-money contract extension. 

During a Wednesday update shared on Bleacher Report's YouTube page, league reporter James Palmer expanded on the Steelers' stance regarding a possible Watt trade. 

"Some people have talked about, do they end up trading him? I don't see that," Palmer said about the Pittsburgh-Watt saga, as shared by Ross McCorkle of Steelers Depot. "I don't think anybody I've talked to sees that for a couple reasons. They're all-in on 2025. What does the draft pick in 2026 do for the Steelers right now in terms of helping them in 2025 and helping them try to get over the hump of what has been five straight one-and-dones in the postseason?"

Specifically, the "all-in" Steelers gave wide receiver DK Metcalf a five-year contract worth $150M, signed 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers to be their starting quarterback and acquired cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith from the Miami Dolphins this offseason. Meanwhile, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler revealed on Wednesday that league executives, coaches and scouts surveyed by the network ranked Watt as the league's second-best edge-rusher for 2025 behind only Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns.

Garrett signed a four-year, $160M extension that included $123.5M guaranteed back in March. While Watt is under contract through the upcoming season, Palmer noted that any team that wants to trade for the 30-year-old would also need to lock him down via an expensive deal. 

"How do you also make that trade? ...How does a team this late have the financial capabilities to sign a guy at $40M a year, give out draft capital and be one player away? It's a pretty small list," Palmer continued. "So I would eliminate right now -- anything's possible -- but eliminate any sort of trade."

Palmer added that the Watt-Steelers situation "could drag on," which suggests Watt won't have an extension in hand by the time Pittsburgh players report for training camp on July 23. Regardless of how Watt spends that Wednesday, it sounds like the Steelers plan to hold onto his rights until further notice.