Steelers insider reveals the hurdle that Pittsburgh's brass needs to clear in order for T.J. Watt to sign a new contract
All T.J. Watt wants is to be paid fair market value. Not to disimilar to when selling a house or buying a car, Watt knows his value, is currently underpaid, and wants to rewarded accordingly. But the Pittsburgh Steelers seem to be dragging their feet, and when you see what one Steelers insider said of […]
All T.J. Watt wants is to be paid fair market value.
Not to disimilar to when selling a house or buying a car, Watt knows his value, is currently underpaid, and wants to rewarded accordingly.
But the Pittsburgh Steelers seem to be dragging their feet, and when you see what one Steelers insider said of Watt's demands, you can kind of see why…
T.J. Watt is looking to top Myles Garrett in APY
"There's always that tension between Watt and Garrett, Pittsburgh Post Gazette Steelers reporter Ray Fittipaldo recently told 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh. "Garrett is outspoken on how he's the best, and Watt—he keeps it to himself, but obviously, Watt feels like he should have that designation in the NFL. [The Steelers] want him to be here, T.J. wants to be here. In the end, I think [the contract extension] will get done."
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 $35.6 million from Danielle Hunter would place Watt second, only behind Myles Garrett.
That might not be good enough for Watt's camp.
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 Watt 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.
And that has NFL insiders skeptical that Watt will top Garrett, even if that's what he wants…
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
But Watt is pulling no punches. He put up that social media post for a reason.
Perhaps it was a reminder to the Steelers' front office. 'Hey, I'm here, I'm your best player, and I know you have a lot on your plate right now, but it's time to pony up.'
We'll see who wins out.
