PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to keep linebacker T.J. Watt in Pittsburgh through the 2021 season.

They exercised Watt's fifth-year option from his rookie contract.

The Steelers will pay Watt a base salary of $1.7 million for the 2020 season. Watt's fifth-year option base salary is unknown, at this time.

Watt is coming off an impressive season.

He recorded 14.5 sacks, 36 quarterback hits, 14 tackles for loss, eight forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. Because of his performance, Watt earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors.

The Steelers used their first pick in the 2017 NFL Draft on Watt, and it turned out to be a good decision.

Since Watt's rookie season, he has recorded 34.5 sacks, and forced 15 fumbles. That sack total ranks fifth among active NFL players, during that span. And, he leads the league in forced fumbles since 2017.

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