Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt’s record deal may have cost the Bengals their All-Pro defender

T.J. Watt's record-setting three-year, $123 million contract will have lasting implications across the NFL — and especially the AFC North, where the Steelers' gain might be the Bengals' loss.

Similar to Watt before the recent agreement, Bengals EDGE Trey Hendrickson has been holding out for a new contract extension — and while it's unlikely he'll surpass the Steelers superstar defender as the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL, the glaring similarities between the two almost spell disaster for Cincinnati in negotiations.

Hendrickson is the same age as Watt but has found more statistical success over the past three seasons — 42 sacks compared to Watt's 36.

While many pointed out some slight decline in Watt's performance in 2024, the opposite narrative was true for Hendrickson — who led the NFL in sacks last season with 17.5 and was named First-Team All-Pro for the first time in his career.

Watt's position as the highest-paid non-quarterback won't change when Hendrickson puts pen to paper, but it definitely pushed the Bengals defender's price tag upward of $30 million-plus — making it extremely difficult for Cincinnati to get a deal done anytime soon.

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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers' T.J. Watt deal may have cost Bengals their All-Pro defender