Linebacker T.J Watt has been one of the best defensive players in the NFL ever since he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2017 NFL Draft. He had initially signed a four-year fully guaranteed rookie contract worth $9.25 million in 2017. In September 2021, T.J. Watt became the highest paid defensive player in the history of the league by signing a four-year extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers worth $112 million. When he won the honor of being the NFL defensive player of the year (2021), the hefty contract was justified and it showed why the Steelers wanted to keep Watt with the franchise for longer.
T.J. Watt Contract Breakdown
Here is a breakdown of T.J. Watt’s current contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers :
| Year | Signing | Average Salary | Guaranteed at Signing | Total GTD |
| 4 yr(s) / $112,011,000 | $35,593,470 | $28,002,750 | $80,000,000 | $80,000,000 |
| Year | Base Salary | Signing | Cap Hit | Dead Cap | Yearly Cash |
| 2021 | $1,000,000 | $7,118,694 | $8,118,694 | $80,593,470 | $36,593,470 ($36,593,470) |
| 2022 | $15,000,000 | $7,118,694 | $24,368,694 | $72,474,776 | $24,000,000 ($60,593,470) |
| 2023 | $20,000,000 | $7,118,694 | $29,368,694 | $48,106,082 | $20,000,000 ($80,593,470) |
| 2024 | $21,050,000 | $7,118,694 | $30,418,694 | $18,737,388 | $21,050,000 ($101,643,470) |
| Potential Out: 2025, 4 yr, $101,643,470; $9,368,694 dead cap | |||||
| 2025 | $21,050,000 | $7,118,694 | $30,418,694 | $9,368,694 | $21,050,000 ($122,693,470) |
How much is T.J. Watt getting paid?
T.J. Watt’s current contract is earning him approximately $28 million each year. On signing the contract extension in 2021 he also received a signing bonus of $35.59 million.
In 2022 T.J. Watt will earn $24 million in total. This includes a base salary of $15 million and a restructure bonus of $9 million. T.J. Watt’s contract carries a cap hit of $24.36 million in 2022 along with a dead cap value of $72.47 million.
How much does T.J. Watt make in a minute?
T.J. Watt is currently the highest paid defensive player in the NFL. In 2022 he is earning $53.2 per minute.
What are the terms of T.J. Watt’s Contract?
T.J. Watt’s current contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers is a four-year contract extension which keeps him with the franchise till 2024 with the option of extending it till 2025. The entire contract is worth $112,011,000. If Watt stays with the Steelers till the 2025 NFL season, then he has the potential to earn a total of around $122million from his contract.
T.J. Watt’s contract includes a restructure bonus of $2.25 million from 2022 till the end of his contract. In 2025 the Steelers have the option of either extending his contract or terminating it.
How much of T.J. Watt’s contract is guaranteed?
T.J Watt’s contract worth $112 million has a guaranteed amount of $80 million. The $80 million guaranteed amount includes his salaries for the 2021, 2022 and 2023 NFL seasons.
T.J. Watt Contract History
| Year | Team | Signing | Average Salary | Guaranteed at Signing | Total GTD |
| 4 yr(s) / $9,258,568 (2017-2021) | Pittsburgh Steelers | $4,873,504 | $2,314,642 | $9,258,568 | $9,258,568 |
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