Every NFL team’s highest salary for the 2023 season

Pittsburgh Steelers: T.J. Watt — $29.368 million

Yeah, this one makes a lot of sense. The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a sort of transition after the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger. They drafted local standout Kenny Pickett, and they are building around him with phenoms at the skill positions. He literally has so much talent at every skill position, including two great wide receivers, a former top college running back, and a tight end who is destined to make “the leap” this season.

With so much youth on the offensive side, the Steelers can spend their money now on defensive stars. T.J. Watt is the biggest star on this roster, and he deservedly makes the most money. His $29.368 million cap hit is one of the highest in the league for a defensive player, but Watt might be the top player on his side of the ball.

Watt missed major time for the first time in his career last season. After tying the record for most sacks in a season in 2021 (in just 15 games), he had just 5.5 sacks after he was hobbled by a pectoral injury he suffered in Week 1. The Steelers lost six of the seven games he missed and won seven of nine games after he returned.

Even without the stats, Watt has such an impact on this team. The fact he is drawing the entire focus of the blockers opens up opportunities for the rest of the defense. It’s simple math. If two or three players are focused on Watt, then there are only so many blockers to cover the other 10 defensive players. This season, we expect Watt at a different level, and this salary might end up being an underpay.