REPORT: Green Bay Packers Named Top Landing Spot for Disgruntled Wisconsin Badgers Legend

Many Green Bay Packers fans consider former general manager Ted Thompson selecting cornerback Kevin King over Wisconsin Badgers legend TJ Watt in the 2017 NFL Draft one of the biggest mistakes in his otherwise successful tenure.

Hindsight, of course, is 20/20, but many forget that the Packers had Ladarius Gunter covering a prime Julio Jones in Green Bay’s NFC Championship Game loss to the Atlanta Falcons in 2016.

Cornerback was clearly a bigger need than a pass rusher. And while King did not pan out the way the Packers hoped he would, he was considered one of the best cornerbacks in the draft at the time.

Unfortunately, King was set up to fail in the eyes of Wisconsin-based Packers fans who were upset Watt was not drafted by Green Bay.

Now, however, the Packers may have the chance to add the Pewaukee native anyway.

The Green Bay Packers Could Trade for Wisconsin Badgers Legend TJ Watt

Green Bay Packers, TJ Watt, Wisconsin Badgers — Dec 8, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) at the line of scrimmage against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Watt, of course, was instead selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. The former Badgers star has had a Hall of Fame-caliber career in Pittsburgh, having been named First Team All-Pro four times, won Defensive Player of the Year once, and has been named to seven consecutive Pro Bowls.

In 2021, Watt tied the NFL season-season sack record with 22.5. He has led the league in sacks three times, most recently during the 2023 season (19.0).

And while it seemed, for a while, that Watt would spend his entire NFL career with the Steelers, now it appears that he is not happy. He has two years left on his contract worth over $21 million per season. The former Badgers pass rusher wants an extension, and apparently negotiations are not going well.

As the post above indicates, Watt posted a picture of himself on Instagram throwing up the peace sign. Many have took this to mean that he does not want to play in Pittsburgh anymore as contract negotiations are not going his way.

Earlier this offseason, Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns signed a new contract worth $40 million per year, nearly twice what Watt is making.

If the Steelers make the former Badgers star available via trade, Andrew Vasquez of Steelers Wire believes the Packers would be the top destination for him. “The Packers are in desperate need of a proven edge presence in 2025—and Watt, a Wisconsin native, makes too much sense here,” Vasquez wrote.

Is TJ Watt a Realistic Trade Target for the Green Bay Packers?

Green Bay Packers, TJ Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers — Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) takes the field for a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

The problem, though, is that Green Bay is not likely to trade for a player, already over 30, who wants an extension that would make him one of the highest-paid players in NFL history.

During his end of the season press conference earlier this year, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst addressed the possibility of trading for a veteran by saying:

“When you trade a high pick for a veteran player, you’re trading a young, really good contract for a player who’s proven, but probably expensive, so you’re giving up a pick and salary cap space. You gotta weigh that. If it’s the right player, if you can feel he can be a dynamic player that can change your football team, you gotta consider that, because there’s not many of those guys out there. But you also have to understand what you’re giving up.”

There is no question that Watt would be worth a trade and $21 million right now. However, Gutekunst has to look at any potential deals with eyes two, three, four years down the road. Will Watt be worth such a massive salary at that time? Odds are that he will not.