T.J. Watt has lastly acquired the contract extension he wished. The Pittsburgh Steelers made him a good wealthier man, paying Watt high edge rusher cash. what he means to the Steelers, it is smart that they acquired this deal executed. Nonetheless, analyst Nick Wright isn’t a fan of it.
“The Steelers are gonna proceed to have eight, 9 wins,” Wright stated Thursday on FS1’s First Issues First. “Their path out was recognizing they weren’t gonna do that as soon as they signed Aaron [Rodgers], however commerce T.J. [Watt], get nice draft capital for it, ultimately get a quarterback.
“As a substitute, they need to do that. I feel it’s a mistake. I additionally suppose T.J. Watt, I don’t know the place he’s so far as his profession arc… I fear a bit about how he and his brother’s our bodies aged.”
Wright’s thought for the Steelers feels like rebuilding, and sadly for him, that’s not the best way they function. The Steelers haven’t had a dropping season since 2003. Irrespective of how a lot their groups have modified, or what number of issues go mistaken, they’ve continued to compete for a playoff spot. That’s as a result of their objective is to win championships.
It’s truthful to criticize that technique, however the Steelers keep it up. This offseason proved that. They signed Rodgers and traded for DK Metcalf, Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith. After a number of seasons of middling outcomes, Pittsburgh needs to recover from the hump within the postseason.
Not giving Watt a contract extension wouldn’t have helped them win now in any respect. He’s top-of-the-line gamers within the league. Wright questions if his physique will proceed to carry up, however he’s solely suffered one main harm in his profession. Whereas he’s handled different bumps and bruises, that’s simply the character of the sport.
At 31, it’s unclear how lengthy Watt can proceed to be an elite go rusher. Nonetheless, the Steelers are higher off playing on him than towards him. Even when they wished to commerce him, why do it this offseason? Watt is coming off considered one of his worst skilled seasons. Add in that one other staff would’ve needed to pay him, and getting an ample return for him would’ve been tough.
We’ll see if Watt proves Wright mistaken. Nonetheless, the final time the Steelers gave Watt a contract extension, he had his finest season within the NFL. Watt’s a bit older now, however he’s nonetheless among the many finest at his place. He deserved this extension. The Steelers can now concentrate on the upcoming season.
