The Pittsburgh Steelers have made loads of huge strikes this offseason, however the one they haven’t made has gotten essentially the most consideration in latest days. OLB T.J. Watt and the staff nonetheless haven’t come to phrases on an extension, and commerce rumors have swirled ever since ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Monday that groups had been making an attempt to commerce for Watt. Showing on The PM Crew on 93.7 The Fan, The Pat McAfee Present’s Mark Kaboly mentioned he thinks Watt shall be enjoying for the Steelers for the foreseeable future.
“I believe that is simply all a part of the enterprise, a part of the negotiation,” Kaboly mentioned concerning the latest uptick in commerce rumors surrounding Watt. “I don’t assume something’s gonna occur right here, to be sincere with you. All of us knew what the quantity was going to be. All of us knew the place he needs to be.”
Kaboly reiterated that he thinks Watt will wait till proper earlier than the beginning of the common season to see if Micah Parsons and Aidan Hutchinson signal extensions and what their contract shall be.
A commerce of Watt could be downright surprising, and it doesn’t appear as if there’s any actual smoke that the staff will transfer him. Particularly given the staff’s latest strikes, buying CB Jalen Ramsey, WR DK Metcalf and QB Aaron Rodgers this offseason, buying and selling Watt would appear counter-intuitive to the staff’s plans to compete this season.
Finally, as Kaboly implied, Watt goes to need extra money than Myles Garrett’s $40 million per yr, and it wouldn’t be a shock if he tops that determine. If he waits to see what Parsons and Hutchinson get, then he could desire a deal above them. However at a minimal, clearing $40 million per yr appears to be the place Watt will find yourself.
Watt skipped the Steelers’ obligatory minicamp and wasn’t at voluntary OTAs, so his participation throughout coaching camp later this month shall be one thing to concentrate to if a deal isn’t reached. Throughout Watt’s first contract dispute with the staff, he held in throughout coaching camp. That final result may very well be the identical this yr if no deal is reached on the onset of coaching camp.
On the finish of the day, it appears possible that Watt and the Steelers will come to phrases on a deal. It simply won’t occur as quickly as either side would really like, however it will be a serious shock if Watt isn’t carrying the Black and Gold in 2025 and past.
