WATCH: TJ Watt officially signs, shares love for Pittsburgh Steelers, fans

T.J. Watt and the Steelers made his new deal official on Friday afternoon, and the linebacker gushed about how much it means to him to stay in Pittsburgh.

“This is a dream to play for an organization like this, and it’s everything from on the field to off the field,” Watt said at a press conference. “On the field, it’s a 3-4 defense. I’m an outside linebacker. That is a player’s dream.”

This 🖤💛 pic.twitter.com/ZhoQrjWyw4

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) September 10, 2021

“To play for ‘Blitzburgh,’ to play for this city, to play for the fans is also a dream,” Watt added. “And to play for the Rooney family is also a dream. It’s incredible, and I get chills talking about it, being a part of an organization that has such rich tradition. And it’s not some billionaire, came in and bought a team and started it because he had all this money. This is a team built off tradition, and it goes so much deeper than just football. That’s why I am so grateful to be a part of it.”

The four-year extension is worth more than $112 million, an average of $28.003 million per year. $80 million was guaranteed at signing. The deal makes him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL.

Watt reportedly signed the deal against the advice of his agents who believed he could get more money. Watt personally went into the office of Steelers president Art Rooney and agreed to the deal before promptly excusing himself to work out. 

Watt had the backing of his teammates as he went through contract negotiations; even quarterback Ben Roethlisberger publicly vouched for him.

Watt has spent his entire NFL career in Pittsburgh. The fifth-year linebacker out of Wisconsin has played and started 62 games, recording 230 tackles, 59 tackles for loss, four interceptions and four forced fumbles.