The Green Bay Packers should’ve drafted T.J. Watt. We all know that. We were there.

Instead, they traded down to select Kevin King, a move that has haunted them ever since. King became a solid starter when healthy, but Watt is a seven-time Pro Bowler, a four-time first-team All-Pro, an NFL Defensive Player of the Year winner, and shares the record for most sacks in a season.

Packers fans received a glimmer of hope this offseason once Watt’s negotiations over a new deal stalled. His cryptic social media posts hinted at a potential exit, seemingly pushing the door ever so slightly open for a possible return to Wisconsin in a blockbuster trade to the Packers.

That door is now shut once and for all. The Pittsburgh Steelers have handed Watt a massive extension that makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history.

And with that, Packers fans’ dreams go up in smoke one final time.

Packers fans’ dreams of bringing T.J. Watt home finally end after record-breaking extension

The Packers had a chance to sign his legendary brother, J.J. Watt. He was interested, but the team didn’t make it happen. Green Bay could’ve drafted T.J. Watt, but, again, passed.

Trading for Watt belonged in the fantasy world and never seemed realistic, but we dreamed. What if the Packers finally put it right after their draft-day failure eight years earlier?

The Steelers are all-in with Aaron Rodgers and understandably have zero interest in moving on from their all-world pass-rusher, especially after trading for Jalen Ramsey and DK Metcalf earlier in the offseason.

Green Bay still has a pass-rush problem and seemingly has no intention of adding a veteran before training camp begins.

We can’t blame them for not making a trade for Watt. The Steelers were always going to retain their star pass-rusher in an all-in, Super Bowl-or-bust season.

It’s the hope that gets you. Eight years later, the Packers’ T.J. Watt dream is finally over once and for all.