The saga is over: A new NFL record for a Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Ti-Jay Watt has signed a contract that will make him one of the highest-paid players in the NFL. This 30-year-old, who has dominated the position until now, agreed to a three-year contract worth $123 million, with as much as $108 million fully guaranteed, well-known insider Adam Schefter learned for ESPN.

This agreement puts an end to several months of negotiations that lasted even before the start of preparations. After the signing, the experienced player is expected to appear at the training camp as early as next Tuesday.

Changes and plans of the steelers for the upcoming season

The Steelers made significant changes to the lineup this year. With a new starting quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, and reinforcements on defense with the addition of former All-Pro cornerback Jaylen Ramsay, as well as new wide receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks, expectations are high.

Watt is known for his exceptional statistics ; he has the most sacks in the NFL (73.5) over the past five seasons. He also led the team in forced fumbles twice, including last season when he again showed why he was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2021.

However, the 2024 season saw a dip in form for the impressive defender. He finished the season with 11.5 sacks, which is significantly less than usual, and in the last five games, all of which ended in losses to the Steelers, he managed to record only two sacks and four pressures on the opposing quarterback.

However, this new contract confirms that the club believes in him and his ability to return to top form. Also, Watt once again became the NFL's highest-paid player at a position other than quarterback, with an average annual salary of $41 million, surpassing the previous record held by Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase at $40.25 million.

This is a big step for the Steelers, who are now looking forward to the season ahead with optimism.

The fans share the same optimism, as they have enormous faith in this team.