The 2025 NFL Draft is right around the corner, and NFL fans couldn’t be more excited. Teams like the Chicago Bears will be scouting up until the day of the draft, looking to add more talent to their roster. This will be the last ‘big’ moment for the league until training camp begins later this summer, so grab some popcorn and get ready for the suspense of draft day.
An element that brings lots of drama to the modern-day sports world is social media.
Platforms like X, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook have become common for many, especially in professional and collegiate sports. Some take advantage of their popularity to make money with endorsements, speak their mind on podcasts, or, in some cases, lash out at fans or organizations.
Chicago Bears fans go into frenzy with trade speculation after T.J. Watt’s cryptic post
A few days ago, superstar defensive end/EDGE rusher T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers posted a cryptic Instagram story, causing fans across the league to speculate trade rumors. While these things can often get taken out of context, it’s certainly a storyline to keep an eye on going forward.
The Bears are looking at adding a pass rusher after another tough season when it came to rushing the quarterback. They’ve been meeting with multiple high-level EDGE rushers recently, but I can’t imagine a bigger name than Watt, who will turn 31 this October and is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2025 season.
Mark Kaloby of the Pat McAfee show, who used to write for the Athletic, posted the photo in question on his X account. He also states that fans should keep an eye on this situation going forward for multiple reasons.
After talking to people, I'd keep an eye on this #Steelers T.J. Watt contract situation moving forward a little more closely. It doesn't appear that the IG picture (below) he posted yesterday was just by chance. I'd imagine an extension is still going to eventually get done, but… pic.twitter.com/OdPLn1H1jB
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) April 10, 2025
With Watt turning 31 later this year, the age concern should be there. However, Watt’s production hasn’t gone down in any capacity. Since coming into the league in 2017, Watt has led the NFL in sacks three times, has made first-team All-Pro four times, and has a Defensive Player of the Year award in his trophy case. His play alone is a massive reason the Steelers have made the playoffs in recent years that they shouldn’t have.
The likelihood of Pittsburgh dealing their best player is still very low. Bears GM Ryan Poles has made multiple trades with the Steelers during his short tenure in Chicago, so the potential is there, as a relationship has already been made.
The Bears need to add a pass rusher. Whether that’s through the deep draft or a big-time trade like this, it needs to happen. Adding a guy like Watt could turn this team into an immediate playoff contender.
What would a trade package look like for T.J. Watt?
The Bears have been finessed by the Steelers before. Last year, they got Justin Fields for a measly late-round pick, and a couple of years prior, Chase Claypool was traded for a second-round pick, going down as one of the worst trades in Chicago history. A package for Watt would likely include some high-level picks, and maybe even a player.
I assume Watt doesn’t get moved before the NFL draft, which begins in 13 days. So, any pick involved in a move like this would probably be 2026 or 2027 selections. Chicago holds all of their picks for both of those drafts, so the capital will surely be there. The Bears may also just wait until next year, when and if Watt becomes a free agent, to make a big push toward the former DPOY.
T.J. Watt is from Pewaukee, Wisconsin. He played high school football at Pewaukee High School and later attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, so he may want to be closer to home. He’s certainly no stranger to cold weather.
Another footnote about this situation is what happened to T.J.’s brother, J.J., when he left the Houston Texans back in 2021. No one expected him to sign to ever leave Houston like no one expects T.J. to leave Pittsburgh. If I were Ryan Poles, I’d be keeping a close eye on this and possibly making a call or two.
Chicago Bears urged to find ‘long-term stud’ at key position
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