NFL insider doesn't expect T.J. Watt's contract situation with the Steelers to end up the same as Myles Garrett's with the Browns
T.J. Watt is about to be a free agent. The heart and soul of the Pittsburgh Steelers, it would be a bad idea to let Watt play out the final year of his deal and test the market. So an extension between now and Week 1 seems likely. As for resetting the market, not so much… […]
T.J. Watt is about to be a free agent.
The heart and soul of the Pittsburgh Steelers, it would be a bad idea to let Watt play out the final year of his deal and test the market.
So an extension between now and Week 1 seems likely.
As for resetting the market, not so much…
T.J. Watt not expected to one-up Myles Garrett's contract
He still plays at an elite level, but turns 31 in October and is in the final year of his contract. It feels unlikely he tops Garrett’s mark, but expect any extension to beat that signed by the Texans’ Danielle Hunter ($35.6 million APY).
Dianna Rusinni, The Athletic
For reference, Watt currently averages a little over $28m per year in salary, placing him seventh among all edge rushers. An extension with a new money average that surpasses that $35.6m from Danielle Hunter would place Watt second, only behind Myles Garrett.
And while the debate between Watt and Garrett has gone on for years now, the one thing you can't argue in favor of Watt is age. Other than an ankle injury that prevented him from playing his best ball down the stretch of the 2024 season, he has shown no signs of slowing down.
But he is about to turn 31 years old, whereas Garrett just turned 29. A small difference in the real world that year and some change makes a massive difference to those who run NFL team's including Omar Khan, who is as cap-centric a general manager we have in the National Football League.
But that doesn't mean Khan doesn't want to pay Watt, and Watt doesn't want to be in Pittsburgh…
"I’ll just say that I’m very hopeful T.J. will finish his career as a Steeler,” said Khan.
"There’s definitely an aura and a sense to a guy that has won a Super Bowl. There’s a togetherness," said Watt after the loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs. "There’s a close knit group of guys that when they come back for those alumni weekends, they hang out and they bond, and they talk about their successes on and off the field and that Super Bowl run. We want that.”
