Steelers predicted to trade TJ Watt to Tampa Bay Buccaneers in blockbuster move

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers should have plenty of optimism heading into the 2025 season. 

First and foremost, the Bucs compete in the NFC South, where they have won the division the last four seasons. If the Buccaneers win the division again in 2025, they will be accomplishing a feat no team from the NFC South has ever done. 

This offseason, GM Jason Licht made it a priority to re-sign a few critical players, most notably, WR Chris Godwin. Godwin was listed as one of the top available free agent receivers, but Tampa never let him get out of the building, reaching an agreement on a 3-year deal worth $66 million. Godwin’s injury history is well-documented, but when he’s healthy, he adds an extra weapon to the Buccaneers already potent offense. 

On the defensive side of the ball, the Bucs re-signed LB Lavonte David who is returning for his 14th NFL season. David has proven he can still play at a high level, while remaining one of the biggest vocal leaders on defense and the entire team. 

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers also made a move to sign pass rusher Haason Reddick on a one-year deal. Reddick had a strange season with the New York Jets last year after a contract disagreement derailed his start with the team, but this is a player with 11 or more sacks in 2021, 2022 and 2023. He posted 16 sacks in 2022 for the Eagles and should be a much-needed addition for the Bucs defense. 

In the NFL Draft, the Buccaneers used their first round pick on WR Emeka Egbuka out of Ohio State. With Mike Evans, Jalen McMillian, Godwin and now Egbuka, it’s hard to argue any other team in the league has a better receiving corps than Tampa heading into 2025. 

The Bucs also added depth to the secondary by drafting cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish. 

Still, while the Buccaneers offense looks to be the team’s strong suit, one prediction has them making a major blockbuster trade to put the defense on the same level for the 2025 campaign. 

Bleacher Report’s Mitchel Milani believes the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could make a blockbuster move to acquire Steelers All-Pro pass rusher TJ Watt: 

“This is one of the most impressive Tampa Bay rosters we have seen since Tom Brady was there in my opinion,” Milani said. We will see what Liam Coen leaving has to do with the offense and how that effects Baker and everybody else, but if they could add to the defense and make this defense the most terrifying Tampa has been since that Super Bowl defense, then that would go a long way in offsetting their offense and maybe lack of play-calling.” 

He goes on to project a trade between the Buccaneers and Steelers where Tampa gives Pittsburgh a 2026 first round pick, a 2026 second round pick and Chris Braswell, who they drafted in the second round in 2024. With all of that compensation, the Bucs would get Watt in return.