For these of you hoping T.J. Watt will accept something lower than the top-of-market deal he most likely deserves, one nationwide insider might have some unhealthy information. Bleacher Report’s James Palmer handed alongside the most recent on what he’s listening to concerning the Pittsburgh Steelers’ greatest participant.
“I’m listening to there’s an opportunity Watt will get previous $40 [million per season],” Palmer stated Tuesday throughout his weekly NFL Insider Pocket book through Bleacher Report. “He has each proper to ask for it. I’ve talked on right here rather a lot concerning the comparisons between him and Myles Garrett. The numbers are nearly equivalent in each side when it comes to superlatives and when it comes to numbers, they usually got here in the identical draft class. I imply, he has the suitable to attempt to get that.”
Had the Steelers made an aggressive sufficient supply earlier within the offseason, maybe a deal would have gotten finished. Although it’s totally doable that Watt and his agent deliberately held off on their choice to see how the remainder of the market performed out.
There isn’t any doubt that Watt and his agent have each proper to ask for a top-of-market deal. Palmer is portray an image of two gamers with practically equivalent stats, however that’s not totally correct. In case you are Watt or his agent, you might be pointing to Watt having seven extra interceptions, 32 extra passes defensed, 13 extra compelled fumbles, 5.5 extra sacks, 10 extra tackles for loss, and 25 QB hits than Garrett in simply 4 extra video games performed.
Sadly for Watt, there’s recency bias at play with him ending decrease than Garrett in sacks final season for simply the second time in his profession, excluding the 12 months he was out injured. Watt’s sluggish end to the 2024 season is without doubt one of the few issues the Steelers can try to make use of to barter for a lesser quantity.
The Steelers made Watt the highest-paid defensive participant in NFL historical past once they signed him to an enormous contract in 2021. Are they going to do this once more for a participant who’s about to show 31 years outdated? Adam Schefter stated he could be “shocked” if it occurs, however Palmer appears to be listening to the other.
Watt already confirmed how severe he’s by skipping necessary minicamp. I don’t assume the Steelers wish to get right into a scenario the place he holds out of coaching camp as nicely. The clock is ticking with camp beginning in slightly below a month from now, and Trey Hendrickson or Micah Parsons may additional complicate issues with new offers of their very own.
