Why T.J. Watt situation with Steelers is no different than Myles Garrett

Dec 15, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) during warmups against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Myles Garrett made it official that he wants out of Cleveland. On Monday, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year officially requested a trade from the Browns.

Garrett spent his entire eight-year career with Cleveland since the team took him No. 1 overall in the 2017 NFL draft. While his accolades include six Pro Bowl nominations and four All-Pro honors, the Browns have yet to sniff the pinnacle of the postseason — a Lombardi trophy.

The star defender knows he won’t ever get there in a Browns uniform, either, and stated as much in his trade request. Cleveland is just as far (if not farther) from being a Super Bowl contender as the Pittsburgh Steelers are.

General manager Omar Khan will likely work out a new contract for Garrett’s counterpart, T.J. Watt, this offseason. Otherwise, he’ll play on the final year of his contract in 2025. As Pittsburgh media personality Mark Madden posted on X (formerly Twitter) this morning, Watt is in the same boat as Garrett.

“T.J. Watt is in the same situation as Garrett. He just won’t admit it to himself,” Madden wrote.

T.J. Watt is in the same situation as Garrett. He just won’t admit it to himself.

— Mark Madden (@MarkMaddenX) February 3, 2025

Despite the team’s lack of postseason success, Watt, 30, has stated on multiple occasions he wants to remain with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In January, he reiterated his stance, “I don’t want to leave this place. I want to be a part of the solution. I’ve put so much into it here and seen so many guys—I want to help Cam Heyward get to where we need to get.”

Sadly, Watt and Cam Heyward will retire without Super Bowl rings if they do stay in Pittsburgh. No one on the team deserves it more than these future Hall of Fame defenders.