T.J. Watt has wanted to be a “one-helmet guy” from the second he arrived in Pittsburgh eight years ago. The star outside linebacker took one big step toward that goal on Thursday, agreeing to a new pact that will make him the league's highest-paid defender and keep the perennial All-Pro in black-and gold well into his 30s.

While some analysts, like Nick Wright of FS1, ripped the Pittsburgh Steelers’ decision to give T.J. Watt a three-year, $123 million extension that includes $108 million fully guaranteed at signing.

Watt's production did not jump off the page last season, but his influence in creating opportunities for his teammates is still apparent.