D.K. Metcalf. George Pickens. Christian Kirk. Jalen Ramsey.

The list stretches further than that. While all are — or were — solid ideas on paper, none would have T.J. Watt‘s impact if the Packers signed him.

That’s the Super Bowl-winning move for Green Bay.

Watt continues to hold out after skipping the Pittsburgh Steelers’ minicamp. After trading for cornerback Jalen Ramsey on Monday, the money got a little tighter for the Steelers.

Watt is entering the final year of his deal, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that multiple teams have discussed what it could take to pry him away from Pittsburgh.

With a roster that has added Ramsey, along with cornerback Darius Slay and quarterback Aaron Rodgers this offseason, Pittsburgh must keep Watt in the fold. The Steelers have constructed a roster trying to capitalize now, and a 31-year-old Watt playing some of the best ball of his career should be part of the equation.

However, for one reason or another, the two sides aren’t exactly seeing eye to eye. That’s opened the door for trade speculation.

Let’s revisit what Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said in January, shortly after the Philadelphia Eagles pulled the curtains down on Green Bay’s season.

I think, for me, the thing that’s been on my mind as we’ve concluded this season is we need to continue to ramp up our sense of urgency.

These opportunities don’t come (very often). The life of a player in the National Football League is not very long.

We’ve got a bunch of good guys in that locker room, got a bunch of talented guys in that locker room, and yeah, I think it’s time that we start competing for championships, right?

The names suggested as trade candidates for Green Bay this offseason were fine, but none would take the Packers to the heights that Watt could.

Talk to anyone on Green Bay’s staff or in the front office, and they’ll sound optimistic about the edge rushers this year.

Gutekunst expects a “big jump” from Lukas Van Ness. Rashan Gary got better and more comfortable in Jeff Hafley’s system as last season went along. Rookie reinforcements Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver should add depth alongside Kingsley Enagbare and Brenton Cox Jr.

All of that sounds nice, but ask any group of Packer fans what position groups they’re most concerned about in 2025, and edge rusher will be near the top of everyone’s list.

Last year, the Packers experienced multiple droughts during which they struggled to muster consistent pressure — or sometimes any pressure — on the opposing quarterback. Green Bay had 45 sacks in 2024, but 15 of them came in two games against the woeful Tennessee Titans and Seattle Seahawks offensive lines. Meanwhile, Watt is a one-man wrecking crew with a proven track record.

Metcalf would’ve been fun. Ramsey would’ve provided stability in the cornerback room. Watt makes you a legitimate Super Bowl threat.

The Eagles chewed up and spit out the Kansas City Chiefs to claim the Super Bowl in February, mainly due to their pass rush. Green Bay has a lot of hope and faith that certain players will take their game to the next level, but uncertainty lingers. Hope and faith are nice, but Watt would be a sure thing. He’s a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year who’s been an All-Pro member on the first team in four of the last six years.

It would feel like an embellishment to suggest that one player could take the Packers from “should be a playoff team” to “potential favorite in the NFC,” but Watt is all of that and then some. He’s arguably the most impactful defensive player in the league and just so happens to play a position vital to shoring up Green Bay’s defense.

The cost won’t be cheap. In all likelihood, the Steelers and Watt squash their beef and find common ground on a new extension that may exceed what the Cleveland Browns gave Myles Garrett earlier this offseason. That’s how these things typically unfold.

If Gutekunst wants to live up to his word, he must pick up the phone to inquire about a T.J. Watt trade. It would cost a pretty penny in both draft and actual capital. However, that’s the kind of sacrifice you must make to beat the best of the best.

Last year, Saquon Barkley proved to be the move the Eagles needed to make to get to the top of the mountain. Philadelphia’s offense looked completely different with him in the backfield. He led the league with 345 carries and 2,005 yards and finished third in the MVP voting.

One player can truly make all the difference. For the Packers, that would be T.J. Watt.