As contracts expire and cap space tightens, that tension is more palpable in Pittsburgh, where whispers about TJ Watt’s future have become a full-throated conversation. Now, before you shrug and say, “This is just another contract saga,” remember one name: Ben Roethlisberger. Big Ben knows a thing or two about loyalty and business colliding.

He watched Steelers brass handle star after star—sometimes harshly. And if anyone can read the room, it’s the Hall of Fame QB turned podcaster. On his Footbahlin’ with Ben Roethlisberger show, Ben pulled no punches discussing TJ Watt’s spot on the roster.

Asked about Watt’s contract, Roethlisberger warned, “At the end of the day, this is a cutthroat business. I’ve seen them—they’re going to do everybody dirty at some point.” His blunt take laid bare the reality: the Steelers hold all the cards. TJ Watt, the three-time Defensive Player of the Year, enters the final year of his deal, and Pittsburgh holds his rights through the franchise tag if talks stall. Last season, Watt still led the league in sacks, but injuries cut his games short. 

Now, the front office faces a choice: pay a king’s ransom for a prime-but-aging pass rusher or risk losing him for a season under a tag they’d rather save for another star. Pittsburgh’s salary cap sits at a precarious balance. They’ve locked up Kenny Pickett and Najee Harris and are re-signing Minkah Fitzpatrick, who added more pounds against that cap. With Aaron Donald’s rumored $25 million tag looming league-wide, every dollar counts. That’s where Watt’s camp—and the Steelers—are playing a high-stakes chess match.

Meanwhile, Watt has given mixed signals. In April’s locker room, he praised Pittsburgh’s “family feel” but admitted he’s weighing his options. “I love this city,” he said, “but I want security for my family.”  Those words underscore the tension between loyalty and self-preservation that Ben spotlighted: a steel-city hero with every reason to seek his worth. With both sides sizing up their leverage, the real question emerges…

Are the Steelers preparing to move on from TJ Watt?

Roethlisberger hinted the Steelers could franchise Watt not once, but twice, keeping him locked in for up to three seasons. He even warned about the math behind it all. As he put it, “I would hope that they would find a way to get a deal done, but they may be looking at it like he has only 3–4 left. Do we really want to give him a, like, and maybe he will be asking for a 4 or 5-year deal? I have no idea. Again, this is all total speculation.” If Steelers brass thinks Watt only has three or four prime seasons left, they might balk at a massive multi-year guarantee, choosing control over commitment. 

Ben added that it’s a brutal play: they control his fate, but risk alienating a generational talent. While Pittsburgh’s brass prides itself on selflessness, tagging Watt could fracture trust in the locker room. Roethlisberger’s behind-the-scenes insight spells out the real fear: what starts as “let’s tag him” can easily turn into ‘we’re on the hook for a king’s ransom.’

Consider how Pittsburgh handled Antonio Brown—stellar production, fractured relationships, painful exit. Roethlisberger was in the eye of that storm, too. Now he watches Watt’s saga and sees déjà vu. “They technically have his rights,” Ben noted, “and they could franchise him again. It’s not right, but they could.” That’s right.

Meanwhile, Watt’s market value just keeps climbing. The Rams reportedly showed interest in Wesley “Pop” Popovich’s 4–3 system that suits Watt’s skill set, and the Jets have the cap space to back up a massive offer. Watt’s agent isn’t bluffing; every practice he misses piles on leverage. Undoubtedly, Steelers fans are restless. Social media feeds show a split: some demand a long-term deal to honor a hometown star, others say tag-and-trade might net the team two draft picks. 

Undoubtedly, it’s a debate that splits the city as surely as any high-profile free agency. Through it all, Watt keeps one foot in Pittsburgh. He has been seen volunteering at youth camps and posting family pictures by the Three Rivers. He’s signaling he still cares—but he’s also signaling that time waits for no linebacker, no matter how fierce. The crossroads of loyalty and business never looked sharper than it does right now in Pittsburgh. 

With Roethlisberger’s warning echoing, the Steelers must decide: Fork over top-market money or test the tag. And risk a showdown that could reshape the franchise.

Will Pittsburgh find a way to keep its defensive cornerstone in black and gold? Or are they ready to turn the page on a Hall-of-Fame-caliber career?