The Pittsburgh Steelers completely embraced their 2025 status as the NFL's Expendables on Thursday by extending outside linebacker T.J. Watt to a record-breaking new deal.

T.J. Watt has wanted to be a “one-helmet guy” from the second he arrived in Pittsburgh eight years ago.The star outside linebacker took one big step toward that goal on Thursday, agreeing to a new pact that will make him the league's highest-paid defender and keep the perennial All-Pro in black-and gold well into his 30s.

Along with Aaron Rodgers, T.J. Watt's contract situation was the biggest storyline surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason. Rodgers, after months of speculation, ultimately signed with the Steelers just ahead of minicamp.