There was a time earlier in the offseason even before the NFL Draft began that many wanted to the Bucs to go after Cleveland’s All-Pro, premier edge rusher Myles Garrett. Then it was all about trading for Pro Bowl edge rusher Trey Hendrickson as he still fights for a new contract.

Instead, the Bucs went in another direction and signed two-time Pro Bowler Haason Reddick, while also drafting David Walker in the fourth round to boost the outside linebacker room.

Another big-name pass rusher, Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt, is also seeking a new contract and could become a trade candidate if a deal cannot be worked out.

Watt skipped Pittsburgh’s mandatory mini-camp, as he seeks a new deal. He’s been in the conversation for the league’s best pass rusher since entering the NFL in 2017. Watt has recorded 108 sacks in his career and has made seven Pro Bowls. He’s been first-team All-Pro four times, second-team All-Pro twice and was the NFL Defensive Player Of The Year in in 2021.

So with Watt potentially on the move, Bleacher Report’s Mitch Milani made a video of potential landing spots for T.J. Watt and what these trades would look like. There were seven teams listed on it with the Bucs coming in at sixth. The first five teams were the Eagles, Patriots, Panthers, Packers and Commanders with the Chargers coming in at seventh.

Could The Bucs Trade For T.J. Watt?

This hypothetical trade between the Bucs and Steelers would have Tampa Bay sending a 2026 first-round pick, a 2026 third-round pick and outside linebacker Chris Braswell in exchange for Watt.

In the video, Milani points out that it would benefit the Bucs to stack the defense with the uncertainty of offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard as a first-time play-caller on offense. There were also references to the 2020 Super Bowl winning team that dominated on defense when it mattered most.

Steelers DL Cameron Heyward and OLB T.J. Watt – Photo by: USA Today

“If they could add to the defense and make this defense the most terrifying that Tampa has been since the Super Bowl defense, that would go a long way in offsetting the offense and maybe their lack of play-calling,” Milani Said. “T.J. Watt would give them their best edge rusher since peak Shaq Barrett, probably even better than that.”

He also explained why Watt is a fit for Tampa Bay with the style of defense that Bucs head coach Todd Bowles likes to operate.

“It would be a pretty similar defense to play in,” he said. “Todd Bowles, the Steelers, they have similar identities. They play that 3-4 sort of base style of defense, but at the same time, they have a very heavy disguise in their defense. They’re zone blitz-oriented a lot of the times. It would make sense that T.J. Watt would fit into this defense, and Bowles would have a good idea for how to get mismatches for Watt and free him up in situations.”

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Watt, who will be 31 years old in October, is set to make $30 million this season. Since he’s looking for a new deal, he presumably wants a contract that will pay him $35 to $40 million per year, and probably the latter of those numbers. On paper it would be a thrill to have Watt in a Bucs uniform given his yearly production and the other talent that the Bucs have along their defensive line.

A combination of Watt, Haason Reddick, Yaya Diaby, David Walker and Anthony Nelson would be the best edge rushing unit in football, especially with their top three. The legitimacy of the Bucs wanting to strike a trade for Watt’s supposed asking price and the assets Tampa Bay would have to surrender for a 31-year old pass rusher seem far-fetched, though.

Why This Wouldn’t Be In The Bucs’ Best Interest

The Bucs’ current roster doesn’t have any players that have a cap hit of over $30 million this year. The closest is quarterback Baker Mayfield at $26.475 million this year, according to Over The Cap, although Mayfield’s average salary is $33.3 million. Tampa Bay has three players with over $20 million in cap hits this year, so doubling that number with $40 million for T.J. Watt and having to sign him for anywhere from three to five years is not plausible.

The reality is that Watt’s play may continue to dip as he gets older, making his price tag only worth it for one season.

And that’s exactly what Tampa Bay did when the team signed Haason Reddick for $14 million on a one-year deal, which includes $12 million in guaranteed money. Reddick turns 31 in September and could be a bargain if he can return to his double-digit sack form. If he plays well enough it might be one and done for him in Tampa Bay, but at least Reddick will have been a good short-term investment.

Bucs OLB Haason Reddick – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

It should also be factored in that the Bucs have three players they’d like to sign to contract extensions before the season begins with right tackle Luke Goedeke, cornerback Zyon McCollum and tight end Cade Otton. Plus, another extension for quarterback Baker Mayfield is on the horizon as well if he has another Pro Bowl-caliber season.

The biggest reason why Tampa Bay won’t be trading for T.J. Watt is because of how much Bucs general manager Jason Licht likes to keep his draft picks. To give up a first- and third-rounder in the same draft would gut the system that the Bucs have set up so well with drafting good players and having them succeed early on in Tampa Bay.

Chris Braswell may not have had the most ideal rookie season, but they’re expecting significant growth from him in year two. We all saw how important the 2024 draft class was to the team’s success, and what this 2025 draft class could be based on its potential. Licht wouldn’t throw away what has worked so well for him to add a player at a position that they already filled several times this offseason, especially one with a short shelf life in the 31-year old Watt.

Bucs GM Jason Licht and senior offensive assistant Tom Moore – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

There’s no denying how great T.J. Watt has been throughout his career. But it’s important to look at the projections of what he’s going to be if there is going to be that much money involved with a contract extension. Ironically, the Bucs and Steelers have a joint training camp practice coming up this summer, so there’s a chance Tampa Bay will see Watt firsthand if he and Pittsburgh reach an agreement on a contract extension.

Check out the entire video with trade scenarios for all seven teams by clicking the link.