In a Pittsburgh Steelers offseason that’s been filled with storylines, the newest one entails star edge rusher T.J. Watt. It’s not the primary time Watt and the workforce have struggled to search out frequent floor on a contract extension, however this go-around did embrace Watt making a press release by skipping obligatory minicamp final week.
Many have speculated that Watt desires a market-resetting contract. One which does so must high Myles Garrett, who’s making $40 million per yr on his new deal. CBS Sports activities’ Aditi Kinkhabwala doesn’t suppose Garrett’s contract performs into these negotiations a lot, although.
“I obtained requested that, too,” Kinkhabwala mentioned Wednesday on 93.7 The Fan. “‘Oh, is T.J. Watt’s entire contract scenario being held up by Myles Garrett?’ And my response to that’s T.J. Watt isn’t that petty. This isn’t about, ‘Oh I want one penny greater than Myles Garrett.’”
No matter deal Watt finally ends up getting, it’s going to be a giant one. He’s heading into the final yr of a contract that pays him a base wage of simply over $21 million for the 2025 season. That seems like some huge cash, however for Watt, it’s pennies on the greenback in comparison with a number of the different edge rushers who’ve lately signed extensions.
Maxx Crosby and Danielle Hunter, two different premier cross rushers, every have new offers paying considerably extra. Crosby’s is a three-year extension that pays him $35.5 million per yr. For Hunter, it’s only a one-year extension, nevertheless it’s value a hefty $35.6 million. Each of these two are terrific gamers in their very own proper. However Watt might actually make the argument that he deserves extra cash than every of them.
Nonetheless, there are a pair extra variables in play with Watt this time round. He’s now on the unsuitable facet of 30. And whereas his 2024 season was a very good one, it was a little bit of a decline from his numbers in earlier years. Each of these issues might trigger the Steelers to stress about giving him such a big deal. Particularly because it’s one that may probably take him into his mid-30s.
Kinkhabwala’s reporting is in step with latest reporting from Adam Schefter, who doesn’t count on Watt’s deal to high Garrett’s. And in actuality, it might make sense if it didn’t. The Browns had been coping with a participant who requested a commerce. Generally to vary a participant’s thoughts in that scenario, you need to again up the Brink’s truck. Pittsburgh’s scenario doesn’t actually evaluate to the Browns’.
Nonetheless, the Steelers are in their very own powerful scenario with Watt. On the intense facet, it does look like all events are in favor of determining a deal sooner reasonably than later. There’s nonetheless loads of time left, nevertheless it does appear that Watt isn’t holding Garrett’s contract in thoughts as a lot as some might have thought.
