Chad Johnson urges Cowboys to consider bold trade for Steelers star

During the last NFL offseason, the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers got on the phone and struck a deal that many would consider to be a steal for Dallas. The disgruntled George Pickens became Dak Prescott’s new weapon.

Former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson urges the Cowboys to make another call to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 2026, shooting even higher for a defensive star in TJ Watt.

“What about having TJ Watt leave the Steelers to go and put a star on his helmet?” Johnson said on Nightcap, via SteelersDepot. “I like the upside of having TJ Watt.”

I’m sure many teams across the league would say the same.

It’s no secret the Cowboys hurt themselves last season when they got into a public spat with their top pass rusher, Micah Parsons. The public war of words between Parsons and Jerry Jones made it clear that the finish line on the relationship was near. Before we knew it, Parsons was traded to the Green Bay Packers.

Unsurprisingly, the Cowboys struggled defensively throughout the 2025 NFL season and severely lacked a pass rush. Filling the void by acquiring a guy like Watt could right the wrongs in the short-term, at least.

“[The Cowboys] need to do something. You gotta pay for your product now. You ain’t getting nothing for free, and that’s the type of player where if you’re paying him big money, the chances are 98.9 percent you’re gonna get a return on that investment when you invest in elite talent like that,” Johnson added.

Watt was one of several notable pass rushers rumored to be on the NFL’s trade block last offseason, alongside Parsons. He wanted a new contract, and it was taking a while for him to get one.

But the Steelers put a generous offer on the table eventually. Watt landed a fresh $123 million over three seasons. If you acquire him, you have him for several years.

Last season could be considered a down year for Watt, which doesn’t strengthen his value. In 14 games, he racked up 55 tackles, 19 QB hits, and 7.0 sacks. One year prior, he had 61 tackles, 27 QB hits, and 11.5 sacks.

The Cowboys aren’t going to want to waste another quality year from Dak Prescott. They have to take gambles on defensive acquisitions, and if Watt is available, you can bet Dallas would probably make the call. It worked out for Pickens last season, who looked sharp in blue. Perhaps they can go back-to-back.