The Chicago Bears wanted to upgrade their pass rush. Contrary to what they said about improving from within, the reality is that they explored plenty of possibilities. They tried trading for Maxx Crosby in March. That fell through after the Baltimore fiasco. Free agency didn’t offer any viable options. As for the draft, the board never fell their way. All the best options were often long gone by the time the Bears picked. Rather than reach in hopes of getting lucky, general manager Ryan Poles opted to take players with higher grades. The Bears would just have to hope what they have is enough, or that somebody unexpected becomes available. Enter TJ Watt.
The former Defensive Player of the Year has been a fixture of the Pittsburgh Steelers for a decade. An eight-time Pro Bowler, he is all but guaranteed to make the Hall of Fame after he retires. However, it appears his future in Pittsburgh is on uncertain ground. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN revealed that the Steelers are debating whether to pay edge rusher Nate Herbig. This would create a problem since they already pay Watt a ton and also extended Alex Highsmith. If they do, it’s felt that Watt might end up being sacrificed.
T.J. Watt becomes a trade candidate
To the point above: If the Steelers end up signing Herbig long term, having three large contracts allocated to one position is a tough proposition.
Watt, for all his greatness, turns 32 in October and has guaranteed salaries of $32 million in both 2026 and 2027.
Watt is a legacy player, something Pittsburgh values more than most. But some teams could see Pittsburgh at least considering moving on from him.
TJ Watt could be a worthwhile gamble in the right conditions.
Namely, it would require the Bears being good again. Remember, Watt will be 32 years old this October. He is no longer in his prime, but he can still impact games as a pass rusher. Acquiring him would depend on if the Bears think their team is reaching a point where they have a legitimate chance to go after a Super Bowl. What makes this idea palatable for them is that it likely wouldn’t cost a 1st round pick to make happen. Given where Watt is in his career, you’re probably looking at a couple of day two picks or a day two pick and a day three pick.
| Player | Age at Trade | Year | Traded From | Traded To | Compensation Given |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Von Miller | 32 | 2021 | Denver Broncos | Los Angeles Rams | 2022 2nd-round pick, 2022 3rd-round pick |
| Jason Pierre-Paul | 29 | 2018 | New York Giants | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 2018 3rd-round pick, 2018 4th-round pick swap |
Both of those trades ended up working out in a big way. Los Angeles won the Super Bowl later that same season in 2021 with Miller. Pierre-Paul was a core member of that 2020 Buccaneers championship team. Older pass rushers can still sway things in the right direction if they end up in the right situation. Watt would join a Bears defense that has a very talented secondary, which would immediately benefit from his rush capability.
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The Bears should watch Pittsburgh carefully.
That team is in a truly difficult spot. They just changed head coaches for the first time in almost 20 years. Their roster is older in several key areas, and they still don’t have a starting quarterback. It would not be shocking if the team took a tumble in the standings this year. Such an outcome might convince them that it’s time to shake things up. Trading TJ Watt would be an obvious first step. Doing so would free up $32 million in cap space and net them some draft capital to start retooling the roster.
Taking on that large contract would be difficult for the Bears given their cap limitations. That said, Watt would instantly be the best pass rusher on the team. A trio of him, Montez Sweat, and Austin Booker would finally give the defense some real bite. Is it likely? No. A lot of things must happen for it to become possible, but the fact that it’s even being talked about is noteworthy. The Bears would be wise to keep one eye on Pittsburgh as the season unfolds in September and October.
