Where does TJ Watt’s Monster Deal Rank in Offseason Moves

The tectonic plates of the NFL have shifted, not with a blockbuster trade or a Super Bowl stunner, but with a single, thunderous signature. On a bright summer’s afternoon in Pittsburgh, TJ Watt inked his name on a monster three-year, $123 million extension—an unprecedented $41 million per year. No non-quarterback in history has ever commanded such financial gravity. In a league where generational fortunes can rise or fall on a single play, the Steelers have spoken with their wallets: Defensive greatness is meant to be anchored, not rented.

Following a string of marquee signings, with Watt being the most recent of them, online betting sites suddenly feel that the Black and Yellow are contenders once again. Websites offering online betting in Canada have slashed odds on the Steelers winning the AFC  North down to +450, narrowly behind the Cincinnati Bengals and the reigning champion Baltimore Ravens. For those who have far loftier expectations than just divisional honors, you can back Pittsburgh to claim a record-breaking seventh Super Bowl at +3000.

But Watt’s deal, seismic as it is, is just one of many tremors of an earth-shaking offseason. As front offices across the league locked in their most prized assets, four names emerged at the epicenter of a new financial arms race. Here are the biggest contracts penned throughout the 2025 offseason.

Josh Allen

Every dynasty needs its king. For Buffalo, that crown is firmly on Josh Allen’s head, and the Bills have just provided him with a war chest fit for an empire: $330 million over six years. And let’s face it, it’s clear to see why.

The former University of Wyoming superstar racked up a combined 40 touchdowns last season, while slicing his interception count to single digits and baiting out defenders for 531 yards on the ground. The analytics confirm it—Allen remains the most versatile weapon at the position. Even as trade rumors bubbled early in the offseason, the Bills front office chose conviction over chaos, delivering pro football’s largest non-Patrick Mahomes paycheck in terms of overall value.

The expectations? Sky-high doesn’t cut it. Allen is tasked not only with conquering the loaded AFC but with delivering Buffalo’s first-ever Lombardi. He has come close in recent years, especially last season, when he led the Bills to the AFC Championship game, where they were ultimately downed by the Kansas City Chiefs once again. Allen was rewarded for his efforts with the MVP award, but now the pressure is on to secure a championship ring. 

Embed tweet here – https://x.com/bodogca/status/1887709769034551563?s=46&t=Jxc74bqcdlQ9Bjed4TR1Jw

TJ Watt

There are athletes, and then there are forces of nature. TJ Watt belongs to the latter. Since making his debut in 2017, Watt has rolled up 100+ sacks, three Defensive Player of the Year awards, and countless offensive tackles in his wake. His signature stat from 2024: 11.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, despite playing through pain that would sideline most mere mortals.

 When whispers of a trade surfaced, you could almost hear the collective gasp from the Steel City. But the Steelers wasted no time: this $123 million extension is both a promise and a provocation. Watt isn’t just their best player; he’s the living, breathing identity of a franchise that builds around ferocity and precision.

Expect wattage in 2025, and not just on the scoreboard. Pittsburgh’s playoff hardware dreams ride on the broad shoulders of their superhero in black and gold.

Ja’Marr Chase

Electrifying. That’s the word that echoes throughout Cincinnati whenever Ja’Marr Chase takes the field. A record-shattering rookie campaign set the tone, but it was 2024 that confirmed it: 1,708 receiving yards, 17 touchdowns, and 127 receptions, the highest numbers in the league on all three metrics and a triple crown secured.

 But behind the highlights, a real question simmered—would the Bengals pay to retain their offensive axis, or let Chase test the open waters? Cincy has been notoriously frugal when it comes to extensions before, and with Chase, Tee Higgins, and Trey Hendrickson all up for renewal this summer, many feared the worst. Luckily, ownership buried the drama, hammering out a $161 million, four-year pact that sets a new receiver standard.

 Chase now stands at the intersection of money and legacy. Cincinnati doesn’t just expect Pro Bowls—they’re banking on MVP-level brilliance. For Chase and his superstar quarterback Joe Burrow, anything less than a playoff march deep into January will feel anticlimactic.

DK Metcalf

Turn up the drama, turn up the volume—DK Metcalf is in the house. Since 2019, Metcalf has bulldozed his way through the league with a unique blend of blistering speed and linebacker-level strength. His 6,000+ career yards and acrobatic touchdowns have left defensive backs clutching at thin Seattle rain.

 The 2024 season was somewhat disappointing, with Metcalf registering just 992 yards and five scores, his lowest numbers in three years. Still, that didn’t bother the Pittsburgh Steelers, who snapped up the former Rebel to a $132 million, four-year deal in free agency.

 With both the aforementioned Watt and Metcalf snapped up, as well as veteran four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers on board, the Steelers have invested big this offseason. A deep playoff run next January is now the only option.