Steelers Players Past, Present React to T.J. Watt’s New Contract

It didn’t take long for Steelers players, both past and present, to make their feelings about T.J. Watt’s new contract known.

Cam Heyward, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Joe Haden and T.J.’s brother Derek Watt are among current Steelers players to express their excitement over the runner-up for the 2020 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award getting big money to stay in Pittsburgh for another 4 years.

Heyward tweeted “happy for my dude” with a simple GIF of a baby smiling. This came after he closed his media session earlier in the day by saying “pay T.J.” before walking away.

Happy for my dude @_TJWatt pic.twitter.com/k2bJp3lNqz

— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) September 9, 2021

Smith-Schuster quotes a report of the deal with a “congrats” and some emojis while Derek tweets “let’s go!” followed by a funny GIF depicting a Chris Farley line from a movie.

Congrats @_TJWatt !! 🔥💪🏾💰 https://t.co/pXHq5z9mew

— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) September 9, 2021

Let’s Go! 🔥 @_TJWatt https://t.co/8dKHEaCKsi pic.twitter.com/w3nNBzAyql

— Derek Watt (@DerekWatt34) September 9, 2021

Former Steelers cornerback turned NFL analyst Ryan Clark added “the right thing to do” as a quote tweet of the official NFL account announcing the contract.

The right thing to do. https://t.co/c8qRjTDZCq

— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) September 9, 2021

T.J. Watt’s 4-year, $112 million contract includes $80 million guaranteed at signing and will make Watt the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history. The contract will have an average annual value of $28.003 million.