McCourty: It ‘Sucks’ T.J. Watt Has To Go To Dramatic Lengths For Contract, Steelers Have ‘No Level To Wait’

It feels just like the Pittsburgh Steelers can’t get everyone within the constructing without delay this offseason. On Tuesday, the primary day of necessary minicamp, Aaron Rodgers entered the power for the primary time. Nevertheless, 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 group. Devin McCourty thinks the Steelers are solely hurting themselves by ready so lengthy to determine Watt’s deal.

“We all the time speak about it, there’s no level to attend,” McCourty mentioned on Professional Soccer Discuss on Tuesday. “T.J. Watt’s a kind 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 during the last 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 most likely don’t win… You will have these completely different items to the puzzle, let’s make certain 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, sometimes 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.

Nevertheless, ready has solely made Watt’s eventual contract extension dearer. If they’d dealt with it firstly of the offseason, the Steelers wouldn’t must deal with matching the $40 million per yr that Myles Garrett obtained 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 develop into much more costly.

The Steelers don’t appear to have any worries concerning Watt. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t be ridiculous for Watt to be upset with how the offseason has performed out. He’s seen them hand an enormous deal to Metcalf, and wait so long as Aaron Rodgers wished. 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 wished a contract extension. Then, he waited all the best way up till practically the beginning of the common season. McCourty thinks it’s unfair that Watt has to take these lengths, regardless of enjoying so properly over time.

“It sucks to see that every time he’s waited for a contract, it’s gone to the form of dramatic lengths to get it, when all he’s finished is been tremendous productive on the sector.”

This opinion from McCourty is greater than honest. The Steelers don’t win video games when Watt isn’t on the sector. He’s been extra influential to the group’s total success than anyone else lately. He actually might 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 actually hasn’t mentioned something dangerous concerning the Steelers. The group isn’t stressing about issues but, both. Nevertheless, Pittsburgh simply isn’t doing itself any favors by ready. They usually may be doing one in all their most loyal gamers a disservice within the course of.