Pittsburg, PA

T.J. Watt contract winners and losers: Teammate hurt, peer helped by $123M extension?

Published

6 months ago

July 18, 2025

T.J. Watt contract winners and losers: Teammate hurt, peer helped by 3M extension?

One of the more prominent and previously outstanding matters of league-wide NFL business ahead of training camps, which open en masse next week, was checked off the list Thursday afternoon when Pittsburgh Steelers superstar pass rusher T.J. Watt agreed to a long-awaited contract extension, per reports, with the only professional team he’s ever known.

And while this deal was largely expected to materialize at some point this summer and may not necessarily create a seismic impact throughout the football world, it could have some broader implications than you might think.

So we thought about it and now present you with the winners and losers from Watt’s big bag of loot:

WINNERS

T.J. Watt

But of course. His three-year, $123 million extension makes him the top-paid non-quarterback in league history, in terms of average annual value, for the second time in his career. It also means Watt, 30, will almost certainly finish out his football days with the Steelers, who drafted the eventual four-time All-Pro and 2021 Defensive Player of the Year 30th overall in 2017. Pittsburgh’s all-time leader with 108 career sacks, Watt is currently sixth among active players but could vault all the way up to second with one of his typically dominant seasons in 2025. He’s certainly got 123 million reasons worth of incentives to do so.

Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan

The conclusion of negotiations with Watt would seem to mark the end of a wildly successful offseason, one when the Steelers’ longtime head coach and recently extended general manager, respectively, practiced patience while fans and some league observers practiced panic. But now Watt has returned to the fold, which he always seemed destined to do, and will soon meet new teammates like QB Aaron Rodgers, who also took his sweet time signing on, WR DK Metcalf, DB Jalen Ramsey and TE Jonnu Smith along with the incoming rookie class. Expectations are justifiably growing for a team that hasn’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season.

Jalen Ramsey

The perennial Pro Bowler was acquired (along with Smith) at the end of June in a summertime blockbuster that reshapes the back end of Pittsburgh’s defense with S Minkah Fitzpatrick headed back to the Miami Dolphins. It’s currently unclear as to how Ramsey might divide his time between covering receivers out wide, manning the slot or even putting in some work at safety with Fitzpatrick out of the picture. What is certain is that Ramsey’s best years were spent with the Los Angeles Rams, with whom he won a Super Bowl ring four years ago and was consistently at the top of his game playing behind demonic Aaron Donald, who caused so much havoc for opposing quarterbacks. Watt might not quite be Donald, but his presence is almost certain to benefit Ramsey, whether it means less time required in coverage, more opportunities to go ball hawking or even the ability to freelance more once he’s comfortable in his new system and surroundings.

Micah Parsons

With Watt’s contract done, it’s almost certainly just a matter of time before the Dallas Cowboys’ top defender − and one of the NFL’s very best − becomes the next top-paid non-quarterback of all time, whether it’s for $41.1 million a year, $44 million or whatever. But Parsons’ money is coming, and his boss, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, is probably only too happy to generate that headline in due course now that he basically knows where the target is.

(Also, Detroit Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson stands to benefit − at some point − from Watt’s newly realized riches, though he might be waiting longer given his rookie deal doesn’t expire until after the 2026 season.)

LOSERS

T.J. Watt

Bro, why are you signing this paper now? It’s supposed to be in the high 80s, humid and wet when you report to training camp in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, six days from now – where you’ll be moving into dorm rooms at Saint Vincent College. And if that’s not a darkness retreat … (Also, if the answer is evading compulsory fines for missing camp, I’d like to introduce you to Michael Strahan. But I digress.) Watt must really be missing his buddies after skipping the Steelers’ offseason training program given he could have let this drag out another couple weeks while holding in or even simply remaining at the crib or beach or wherever. In addition, no chance brothers J.J. and Derek are ever picking up another dinner check.

They have yet to placate their own holdout pass rusher, All-Pro DE Trey Hendrickson waiting for his financial situation to be resolved. Hendrickson, 30, who has 35 sacks over the past two seasons – 4½ more than Watt over the same period – hasn’t necessarily been looking to reset the market. But given he’s due to make $16 million in the final year of his deal, it’s apparent to him and anyone else outside of Cincinnati that he’s (over)due for a raise and isn’t merely 39% the player Watt is (when you crunch the salary figures anyway). And given how everything is seemingly falling into place in Pittsburgh – and already was basically set in Baltimore – the Bengals would be doing little more than undercutting their playoff hopes yet again by letting business matters impede their football operation. Pay the man.

Myles Garrett

Feels like it was just five minutes ago that he became the first non-quarterback to break the $40 million per year contractual barrier. Then he was overtaken by Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase and now Watt, who both play for (better) division rivals of Garrett’s Cleveland Browns. And, after explicitly stating he was the league’s best defensive player last season after the Browns beat the Steelers in Cleveland – a remark clearly directed at Watt – doesn’t it have to irk Garrett just a little bit that he’s now the second-best paid defender … and for a team that’s probably going to stink?

The Steelers’ Week 1 opponents will now be catching the full T.J. Watt Experience as they unveil an offense led by new QB1 (and former Steeler) Justin Fields. And just when the NYJ might have started to hope they’d be catching a guy trying to knock off rust and possibly playing on an opening day pitch count given how negotiations can sometimes drag late into the process with Pittsburgh players …

Aaron Rodgers?

The Steelers are Watt’s team, and he’s been the face of this franchise for a minute … though maybe you could argue it’s actually Tomlin. Regardless, Rodgers will definitely be the story as long as he’s amongst the yinzers, and the spotlight is about to be completely re-trained onto the four-time league MVP. No more time spent fretting about Watt’s bank account or whereabouts or questions posed to Rodgers about what No. 90 means to the team and how important it is to reward him. Nope, nope, nope. This is now all about No. 8 and what he can do to end Pittsburgh’s playoff failures and stabilize a position – temporarily anyway – that has effectively undermined this team since even before Ben Roethlisberger retired in 2022. Have fun with that, Mr. Rodgers!

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Pittsburg, PA

Nearly a Century Old, This Sears House Kit Home in Fineview is Still Fine | Pittsburgh Magazine

Published

2 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Press Room

Nearly a Century Old, This Sears House Kit Home in Fineview is Still Fine | Pittsburgh Magazine

Built in 1928, the hillside home is packed with original millwork, charming details and loads of storage.

PHOTOS BY DONNELLY MEDIA, LLC

When Alena Taylor Keefe was in elementary school, her family moved to 2035 Biggs Ave. in Pittsburgh’s Fineview neighborhood.

The year was 1975, and she recalls being delighted with the Craftsman-style home built from a Sears housing kit that her family would call theirs for the next 50 years.

“It’s a place that you can call home,” she says. “Some places you can’t really say that about, but it’s just such a great family home.”

33 Biggs 32

Built in 1928, the house has three bedrooms and one bathroom packed into 1,500 square feet.

“I grump about the fact that there’s only one bathroom and the kitchen is small because I love to cook, but I still made it work for many family suppers,” Keefe says. “We hosted holiday dinners where we extended the dining table into the living room to accommodate everybody. It was just home.”

03 Kitchen

The first floor of the home has that small, yet functional kitchen, a nicely sized dining room and a large living room that spans the front of the home. Keefe warmly recalls coming down the front staircase on Christmas mornings and posing in formal dresses beside the steps before school dances. She says her family also enjoyed the long front porch that runs along the living room.

“My dad would come out and read the newspaper, and I’d be on the swing with my mom while she worked on her crochet,” she says.

On the second floor, three equally sized bedrooms share a hallway bathroom with double sinks. A set of pull-down stairs leads to ample storage under the eaves.

07 Dining

Now in their 80s, Keefe’s parents have moved to a maintenance-free home near Keefe’s current home in Beaver County, so they can continue to enjoy family dinners together, but without the responsibility of home ownership.

While Keefe is wistful about selling the home her parents carefully loved for half a century, she is certain a new buyer will recognize its charm and value.

“So much has never been touched,” she says. “There is original woodwork, an original fireplace that still has a coal chute to the outside and a lovely built-in China cabinet in the dining room.”

18 Bedroom 1

Keefe also touts the home’s plentiful storage; there’s a clean, dry basement, attic storage and a detached two-car garage with a lower level could be space for a workshop, studio or general storage.

Keefe notes the roof was replaced in the last decade; there also were updates to the HVAC, including adding air conditioning, and the family replaced the upstairs flooring in preparation to sell the carefully maintained home.

30 Rear Yard

The house is now listed by Brian Larson of Howard Hanna for $245,000. He says it checks all the right boxes for a first-time homebuyer — or anyone shopping for a clean, well-maintained home.

“This is a home that has clearly been loved and lived in with care,” says Larson. “Over the years, attention has been given to maintaining and improving the property in a way that supports comfortable, everyday living. While no home of this era is ever ‘finished,’ per se, the overall condition reflects consistent stewardship rather than deferred maintenance.”

34 Neighborhood 1 With Pin

Larson says buyers should not have issues with financing for this home, including loans through the Federal Housing Administration or other specialized lending programs. Priced right around the city’s median home price, Larson encourages shoppers to check it out.

“Many first-time buyer programs are available that may offer down payment assistance and competitive interest rates, helping make homeownership more attainable for qualified buyers,” he says.

Larson adds that he loves the sun-soaked room that runs along the front of the home, as well as the wide front porch and the property’s proximity to Fineview Park.

“Fineview is also known as one of the best vantage points in the city for fireworks and skyline views,” he adds. “With convenient bus access and an easy commute to Downtown, the neighborhood offers a unique blend of tranquility, accessibility and city connection.”

25 Front Porch View

Keefe says that while the neighbors have changed over the course of 50 years, her family has always been thankful for the close-knit Fineview community.

“There are some chickens running loose, but everybody up there is so kind,” she says with a laugh. “The mailman lives up on the corner; everybody knows everybody. It’s just so nice.”

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Pittsburg, PA

17-year-old accused in deadly Kansas shooting

Published

14 hours ago

January 11, 2026

Press Room

17-year-old accused in deadly Kansas shooting

CRAWFORD COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating another deadly shooting involving a Kansas teen.

Just before 9p.m. Friday, police along with first responder units from Pittsburg Fire Department and Crawford County EMS, were dispatched to a shooting at Schlanger Park, 725 E 6th Street in Pittsburg, according to a media release. First responders found that an adult male had been shot and had subsequently died as a result of his injuries.

The victim, who was identified as 18-year-old Adam Basauri, of Girard, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Basauri’s body was sent to Kansas City for an autopsy.

The scene was secured and investigators with the Pittsburg Police Department responded to assist with the investigation. Witnesses on scene advised the suspect had fled the scene in a vehicle. Witnesses were transported to the police department to be interviewed while the search for the suspect was ongoing.

At approximately 9:46 p.m. the suspect and suspect’s vehicle were located in Arma, Kansas, by deputies with the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office.

The suspect, who was identified as a 17-year-old juvenile, was taken into custody and transported to the Pittsburg Police Department for questioning. The juvenile suspect’s vehicle was secured and towed to the Pittsburg Police Department to be processed.

After interviewing the witnesses’ investigators were able to determine that a brief altercation took place between Basauri and the juvenile suspect. During the altercation, the suspect shot Basauri.

As a result, the 17-year-old juvenile, of Pittsburg, was placed under arrest. Juvenile Intake responded and processed the juvenile suspect. The juvenile suspect was transported to the Southeast KS Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Girard. He is being held on a requested charge of murder in the second degree.

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Masontown Borough unanimously votes to reinstate police department

Published

1 day ago

January 10, 2026

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Masontown Borough unanimously votes to reinstate police department

During an emergency meeting on Saturday night, Masontown borough council voted 6-0 to reinstate its police department after council initially voted on Monday to lay off the entire department, citing budgetary reasons as the leading factor for the decision.

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