Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end T.J. Watt earned praise as one of the game's best players with his new contract that reached untouched heights. This weekend, Watt signed a three-year, $123 million extension with the Steelers that makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history by annual salary ($41 million).

Months before Watt agreed to the three-year, $123 million deal that made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL, Watt cryptically posted a story to his Instagram of him in Steelers uniform holding up a peace sign. That simple post in April prompted talk of whether Watt should be traded and several theories for why Watt made the post.

L ATROBE, Pa. -- A day after officially signing his three-year, $123 million extension, T.J. Watt was relaxed and jovial Wednesday as he reported to his ninth Pittsburgh Steelers training camp.

T.J. Watt addressed the cryptic social media post he made in April after signing a historic three-year extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

TJ Watt spoke with reporters on the first day of training camp in Latrobe after signing an extension that made him the highest-paid defender in the NFL.

Watt, 30, had 11.5 sacks a season ago and dealt with multiple injuries that cooled him off down the stretch. Before the injuries, Watt was the odds-on favorite to win the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year Award, which would have been his second in a storied career.

TJ Watt doesn't hold back. The Steelers' star linebacker openly acknowledges the team's struggles and under Mike Tomlin's leadership, shining a spotlight on a franchise hungry for playoff success.