“Insane to pay him anything right now”: Patrick Rooney Jr. sparks controversy over Steelers paying T.J. Watt at age 31

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Jul 10, 2025, 05:11 IST

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Patrick Rooney Jr., of the Steelers family, shared his views on T.J. Watt's contract. He thinks paying Watt now is not wise. Watt, 31, wants a raise as his contract nears its end. Other players' deals are raising the bar. The Steelers want to keep Watt but must be smart with money. The Rooney family's view has fans watching closely.

“Insane to pay him anything right now”: Patrick Rooney Jr. sparks controversy over Steelers paying T.J. Watt at age 31 (Image Via X)

A surprising voice spoke up recently about T.J. Watt and his future with the Pittsburgh Steelers. That voice belongs to Patrick Rooney Jr., grandson of team founder Art Rooney Sr. He said something strong that got people talking. Was it about money? Was it about a contract? And how did it all come out, when and where? In early July 2025, during a livestream, Rooney Jr. gave his honest opinion. His words caused a stir. Here is what he said, who said it, and why it matters now.

What Patrick Rooney Jr. said about paying T.J. Watt today

On July 9, 2025, during a live stream at the Palm Beach Kennel Club, Patrick Rooney Jr. spoke plainly about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ possible big deal for T.J. Watt, the team’s All‑Pro pass rusher. “T.J. is a great player, great Steeler. Insane to pay him anything right now. Absolutely insane. He’s 31 years old,”Rooney Jr. said, referring to T.J. Watt’s age and current worth in today’s economy. He warned that spending so much now does not fit the team’s recent record, saying it “just doesn’t make sense” based on results in the past years.

Why T.J. Watt’s contract talk matters for Pittsburgh Steelers’ future

This summer, T.J. Watt heads into 2025 in the final year of his 2021 four‑year, $112 million deal, currently earning about $28 million a year.

Meanwhile, other top pass rushers like Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby have signed new deals, moving the salary bar higher. T.J. Watt has missed OTAs and minicamp, part of his push for a raise. His brother J.J. Watt even spoke out, urging the team to treat players fairly if they earn it. Coach Mike Tomlin and GM Omar Khan have both said they hope to keep T.J. Watt and are working on a deal. At 31, T.J. Watt remains a key part of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ goal to compete in 2025, but the team must balance that with smart financial choices. A member of the Rooney family making such a bold claim has fans and analysts watching closely.

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TOI Sports Desk

The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide. From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more. The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics. We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects. We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.

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