The Detroit Lions are in win-now mentality, and they may be even more prepared to put all of their chips in the center of the table.
Detroit has been identified as a potential suitor for T.J. Watt if the Pittsburgh Steelers decide to move the four-time All-Pro and 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
ESPN reported on Tuesday that teams were mulling bids to get Watt from Pittsburgh. Watt is about to reach the final year of his four-year contract inked after his record-breaking 2021 season, but he is searching for a new deal that will make him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL.
The Steelers are not aggressively shopping Watt, but they may decide to dump the soon-to-be 31-year-old rather than lose him in free agency.
Why are the Lions linked to T.J. Watt?
The Lions are stacked and have a legitimate shot at the Super Bowl. However, their defense was unable to stop Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders in the NFC Divisional playoff game, which they lost 45-31.
Last season, the Lions tied for 24th with 37 sacks. Fans have properly called out Aidan Hutchinson’s absence, as the No. 2 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft missed the final 13 games due to a fractured leg.
With him recovering and 2024 trade-deadline acquisition Za’Darius Smith still on the free agent market after an underwhelming post-deal tenure, Detroit could try to impress Pittsburgh and sign Watt, according to CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin, and still has cap space to lock in the future Hall of Famer.
“Detroit has been sniffing around upgrades opposite Hutchinson for a while, taking a flyer on Za’Darius Smith last year and reportedly attempting a draft-day trade up for edge rushing help,” Benjamin pointed out. “Better yet, they’re flush with 2025 salary cap space, possessing north of $40 million that could help accommodate Watt’s immediate financial desires and further confirm them as one of the most talented rosters in all of football.”
Why wouldn’t a Watt-to-Pittsburgh trade happen?
The Steelers may be reluctant to trade with their four-time All-Pro, especially given their commitment until 2025.
After winning the Aaron Rodgers sweepstakes, trading for D.K. Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks, and obtaining Jalen Ramsey from the Miami Dolphins on Monday, Pittsburgh has raised the stakes.
The pressure is always on in Pittsburgh, as fans have been hoping for a return to “Seventh Heaven” since the Steelers won their previous championship over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII. However, the stakes were heightened even more when Rodgers declared that this would most likely be his final NFL season.
However, the Lions would also have reason to pause. Watt will turn 31 on October 11 and would be looking for a new contract with a greater average annual value than Myles Garrett’s $40 million, which would likely last him until his age-35 season.
Watt is also coming off one of, if not the most disappointing seasons of his career. He had 11.5 sacks, tied for sixth in the league, but the fewest since his rookie season.
The Lions already lack a third- or sixth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and dumping further assets in a potential Watt trade would leave them even less draft capital.
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