It feels just like the Pittsburgh Steelers can’t get all people within the constructing without delay this offseason. On Tuesday, the primary day of obligatory minicamp, Aaron Rodgers entered the power for the primary time. Nonetheless, one other participant making headlines was T.J. Watt, who failed to point out up as he continues to barter a contract extension with the crew. Devin McCourty thinks the Steelers are solely hurting themselves by ready so lengthy to determine Watt’s deal.
“We at all times discuss it, there’s no level to attend,” McCourty stated on Professional Soccer Discuss on Tuesday. “T.J. Watt’s a sort of man, the place to win a recreation, you’re banking on T.J. Watt to make a play. There have been so many video games over the past one or two years, the place if he doesn’t get a strip sack, or he doesn’t scoop the ball up and rating, the Steelers in all probability don’t win… You’ve gotten these completely different items to the puzzle, let’s be certain that our foremost piece to the puzzle is there.”
Ready too lengthy on Watt’s deal is one thing the Steelers are receiving criticism for, and rightfully so. Contract negotiations, particularly extensions, usually take a very long time. And the Steelers have had different priorities this offseason. These embody their lengthy wait on Rodgers, in addition to some huge strikes involving each the DK Metcalf and George Pickens trades.
Nonetheless, ready has solely made Watt’s eventual contract extension dearer. If that they had dealt with it firstly of the offseason, the Steelers wouldn’t must cope with matching the $40 million per yr that Myles Garrett acquired from the Cleveland Browns. Even Maxx Crosby received a hefty deal from the Las Vegas Raiders. If the Steelers wait till after Micah Parsons indicators his extension with the Dallas Cowboys, Watt would possibly change into much more costly.
The Steelers don’t appear to have any worries concerning Watt. Nonetheless, it wouldn’t be ridiculous for Watt to be upset with how the offseason has performed out. He’s seen them hand a large deal to Metcalf, and wait so long as Aaron Rodgers needed. And but, Watt’s watching these occasions play out with none solutions on his finish.
That is just like what occurred the final time Watt needed a contract extension. Then, he waited all the way in which up till practically the beginning of the common season. McCourty thinks it’s unfair that Watt has to take these lengths, regardless of taking part in so nicely through the years.
“It sucks to see that every time he’s waited for a contract, it’s gone to the sort of dramatic lengths to get it, when all he’s achieved is been tremendous productive on the sphere.”
This opinion from McCourty is greater than honest. The Steelers don’t win video games when Watt isn’t on the sphere. He’s been extra influential to the crew’s total success than anyone else in recent times. He definitely may have a bone to choose, as he’s now having to overlook practices as he continues to attend for a greater deal.
Watt hasn’t commented on these contract negotiations, and he definitely hasn’t stated something unhealthy concerning the Steelers. The group isn’t stressing about issues but, both. Nonetheless, Pittsburgh simply isn’t doing itself any favors by ready. They usually is likely to be doing considered one of their most loyal gamers a disservice within the course of.
