The 2025 season is getting closer and closer, but there could still be some big names on the move before it gets underway.
T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers is one of the best pass-rushers in the league. Watt's play hasn't gone down at all even at age 30, and he's surely the type of player who doesn't come available in trade talks often.
However, the veteran is unhappy with his contract, and has been holding out of mandatory minicamp. It's reasonable to assume that the Steelers could entertain trading the star if they feel a long-term deal won't be reached.
As a result, betting markets have released updated odds for Watt's next team. The Seattle Seahawks have some of the best odds of any team at +900. Only the Eagles, 49ers, Lions, and Patriots have better odds to land the star pass-rusher.
The Seahawks could certainly use a player like Watt, so these odds make sense. Currently, the team is slated to start Demarcus Lawrence and Uchenna Nwosu on the outside, but Watt would bring an entirely new dynamic to the unit.
In 2024, Watt racked up 61 tackles, 11.5 sacks, and 19 tackles for loss. The veteran has earned seven Pro Bowl selections, has been a First-team All-Pro four times, and has led the league in sacks three times.
So far, Watt has spent his entire career with the Steelers. The Steelers recently signed Aaron Rodgers to be the quarterback, so it certainly seems like the team has ambitions of competing in 2025. However, the team may feel like it's worth it to trade Watt now rather than lose him in free agency for nothing.
With Watt in tow, the Seahawks would go from an underwhelming edge unit to one of the league's best. Watt, Lawrence, and Leonard Williams have all had double-digit sack seasons, and that's a lot of firepower for one team.
If the Seahawks are going to trade for Watt, it will require a hefty amount of draft capital and a sizeable financial commitment. Spotrac projects Watt to command a four-year deal worth $36.6 million annually on his next deal.
Per Over the Cap, the Seahawks currently have around $31 million in remaining cap space this offseason, and are set to have somewhere around $60 million for next offseason.
For a player of Watt's caliber, the Seahawks would likely be willing to pay that price. For a team that desperately hopes to return to the playoffs in 2025, Watt could be the piece that pushes them over the edge.
