T.J. Watt's cryptic message on his personal social media account has Steelers fans of all kinds concerned about his future
T.J. Watt is in a contract year. That means a lot of things in the modern NFL, as players tend to send some messages if they feel like they aren't getting the attention they deserve from their franchise. Well, it seems T.J. Watt just did that with the Pittsburgh Steelers… T.J. Watt sends cryptic message […]
T.J. Watt is in a contract year.
That means a lot of things in the modern NFL, as players tend to send some messages if they feel like they aren't getting the attention they deserve from their franchise.
Well, it seems T.J. Watt just did that with the Pittsburgh Steelers…
T.J. Watt sends cryptic message on Instagram
The picture of Watt throwing up the dueces as he was walking off the field has fans going bonkers. Does this mean he wants to be traded? Is he going to retire? Is he going to hold out until the Steelers pay him?
No one knows the real answer other than Watt, but they are all fair questions to ask. The last time he spoke, he was adamant that he was in his prime, looking to get over the playoff hump and wanted to be with the Steelers.
"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.”
But that didn't stop people from saying that Watt could be, or even should be on the trade block. He hasn't won a playoff game in Pittsburgh, is going to be 31 years old, needs a new deal, and wants to be paid atop the pass-rushing market even if he's unlikely to get that kind of money.
"T.J. Watt's only got one year left on his deal and I feel like I would just want to make sure the Steelers are aware he only has one year left on his deal and if they don't want to extend him, be aware that other teams would be willing to extend him if they want to ship him over there," said Solak on the Up & Adams show. "It was not the best T.J. Watt season last year. So I wonder if the Steelers are worried about the age a little bit. He was not as fast off the ball, and not as productive. He's $30 million [a year], so it's a weird spot."
So this in all likelihood, is just a reminder from Watt. A 'Hey, I know you guys are worried about the quarterback and the NFL Draft, but I'm the best player on this team, one of the best at my position, and I want to be paid accordingly. Don't forget about me, because I can make this a headache.'
We'll see if Pittsburgh listens.
