One Down, One to Go: Steelers Extend Elliott as Watt Contract Drama Intensifies

• Steelers sign safety DeShon Elliott to a two-year extension.
• T.J. Watt's contract negotiation becomes the team's top priority.
• GM Omar Khan praised for strategic move to secure defensive depth.
• Elliott's deal provides future roster and salary cap flexibility.

The Pittsburgh Steelers front office sent a clear message on Tuesday: they're serious about keeping their defensive core intact. Safety DeShon Elliott was locked up with a two-year extension, securing a vital piece of the secondary. But as one contract negotiation concludes, another, far larger one casts a shadow over the offseason. The clock is officially ticking on a massive extension for T.J. Watt, and the pressure is mounting for both sides to get a deal done before the team reports to Latrobe.

'I know the Steelers and T.J. Watt are motivated to get a deal done. From what I'm told, both sides want it to get done.'

Khan Makes a Savvy Move in the Secondary

General Manager Omar Khan continued his impressive offseason by signing safety DeShon Elliott to a two-year extension worth over $9 million. The deal, which could reach $12.5 million with incentives, keeps the hard-hitting safety in Pittsburgh through the 2027 season. Elliott, who racked up 108 tackles last year, was quick to express his gratitude on social media, calling it 'the best organization' with 'the best fans in the NFL.' This isn't just about rewarding a productive player; it's a strategic move that provides roster flexibility as the team looks ahead to future contracts for young cornerstones like Joey Porter Jr. and Keeanu Benton.

The High-Stakes 'Game of Chicken'

While the Elliott deal is done, the main event is the negotiation with T.J. Watt. According to ESPN's Peter Schrager, both the Steelers and Watt are 'motivated' to finalize an extension before training camp. However, other insiders have described the talks as a 'game of chicken,' with both parties waiting for the other to blink. With Watt entering the final year of his $112 million contract and other top defensive players also in talks, the market is volatile. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations fueled by the arrival of Aaron Rodgers, getting their defensive MVP signed, sealed, and delivered is priority number one.

Smith's Offense: Power, Speed, and Rodgers

While contract talks dominate the headlines, work continues on the field. Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith is installing his vision for the offense, a blend of old-school physicality and modern explosiveness. The plan is to establish a punishing ground game with running back Caleb Johnson, forcing defenses to stack the box. That, in theory, will open up deep passing lanes for Aaron Rodgers to exploit with his new weapon, DK Metcalf. It's a strategy built on complementary football, aiming to control the clock and create big plays, all while adhering to Coach Tomlin's core principle of winning the turnover battle—a specialty of their new four-time MVP quarterback.

With minicamp in the rearview mirror, the focus shifts entirely to the final pieces of the offseason puzzle. The DeShon Elliott extension was a solid, necessary step in building a championship-caliber roster. But the franchise's immediate future hinges on the outcome of the T.J. Watt negotiations. Will a deal be struck before the pads come on in late July? The answer will set the tone for the Steelers' 2025 campaign and their quest for a seventh Lombardi Trophy.