T.J. Watt reacts to record-breaking $123 million contract extension with Steelers

Mike Moraitis

T.J. Watt reacts to record-breaking $123 million contract extension with Steelers image

Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Disaster averted: the Pittsburgh Steelers and star edge rusher T.J. Watt have agreed to a record-breaking contract extension.

According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, Watt and the Steelers have agreed to terms on a three-year, $123 million deal, which makes Watt the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.

At $41 million per year, Watt tops the edge rusher market, which previously had Cleveland Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett at the top at $40 million per year.

Watt also blows past Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, whose $161 million deal pays him $40.25 million annually, the previous record for the highest-paid non-QB in league history.

Shortly after news of the contract extension broke, Watt took to Instagram to share his reaction.

He didn't write anything on the post, but a picture is worth a thousand words.

Things were not looking great there for a while, as reports suggested Watt and the Steelers were far apart in negotiations.

However, the expectation was always that something would get done and there was no indication Pittsburgh ever considered trading him, which would have been a bad move considering how much the Steelers need Watt.

Now, Watt is under contract through 2028 and is on track to finish his career in the same place he started.

Mike Moraitis

Mike Moraitis is a freelance writer who covers the NFL for the Sporting News. Over his nearly two decades covering sports, Mike has also worked for Bleacher Report, USA TODAY and FanSided. He hates writing in the third person.