T.J. Watt’s contract standoff with the Pittsburgh Steelers has sparked trade rumors, but does a move to the New England Patriots seem like a fantasy? The star edge rusher wants to be the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback, demanding over $40.25 million annually. Can the Patriots pull off this blockbuster, or is it just a pipe dream?
The Patriots boast $61 million in salary cap space, per Spotrac, enough to absorb Watt’s hefty price tag. Yet, a proposed trade, Jabrill Peppers, a 2026 second-round pick, and a 2027 third-rounder, lacks the first-round pick Pittsburgh would likely demand.
Pittsburgh’s playoff aspirations make trading Watt illogical.