As NFL offseason rumors intensify, one name has unexpectedly landed on the trade block in fan circles: T.J. Watt, the franchise face of the Pittsburgh Steelers' defense. With the New England Patriots rumored as a potential destination, fans are intrigued about a blockbuster trade that would rock the league.

But let's separate fact from fiction—this is extremely unlikely, and here's why.

Steelers Still Contending, Not Rebuilding

NFL Trade Rumors: Steelers Trading T.J. Watt to Patriots Won't NFL Trade Rumors: Steelers Trading T.J. Watt to Patriots Won't
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The Steelers are not a team in rebuild mode. They're coming off 10 wins last season and are very much still in the AFC playoff picture. Even with questions at quarterback still lingering, Pittsburgh is concentrating on competing in 2025, not imploding its core, according to Sports Illustrated.

Trading Watt, a past NFL Defensive Player of the Year, would be an enormous change in direction—something the team has not so much whispered about.

Watt Extension Talks Are Inevitable

Watt is in the last year of his contract, and yes, there is a little bit of tension regarding contractual terms. However, this doesn't happen in the NFL frequently.

Most often, top-level players and organizations ultimately agree. With Watt's influence on the field and outside of it, the Steelers should be more than willing to focus on signing him to a new extension instead of considering trade bids.

There's too much history, leadership, and value in retaining Watt in black and gold.

Steelers Would Avoid an AFC Trade—Especially to New England

If the unthinkable happened and Pittsburgh did trade Watt, there's little to no chance it would be to a rival within the AFC, least of all the Patriots. The Steelers have no reason to bolster a franchise they've clashed with in multiple playoff showdowns over the last two decades.

If anything, Watt would be sent to the NFC, far from Pittsburgh's postseason path.

Patriots' Needs Don't Align With Watt's Price Tag

On the other hand, the Patriots might be thinking if they could match Watt's asking salary.

T.J. Watt is 30 and coming off his last sack season while healthy since 2017, with 11.5 sacks in 2024. Although still great, his best years, perhaps, are dwindling.

For New England, however, a club in the middle of a rebuilding process, parting with a first-round choice (and additional assets) only to sign a huge contract to an aging edge rusher is not by the established plan.

It's an expensive gamble for a team that requires building-block players, particularly at quarterback and wide receiver.

This Trade Just Isn't Happening

While NFL fans enjoy splashy trade speculation, the T.J. Watt to New England situation is fantasy, not reality. The Steelers aren't trading Watt when in win-now mode, and the Patriots aren't going to trade off the farm for a veteran pass rusher approaching his downward spiral.

So, for the moment, look for Watt to be the Steelers' defensive face—and look for this rumor to dissipate as fast as it began.

Aaron Rodgers going to the Steelers has a bigger chance of happening than Watt being a New England player.