Insider reveals why Steelers have not matched T.J. Watt’s asking worth
A Tuesday report revealed that the Pittsburgh Steelers and unsettled pass-rusher T.J. Watt “are actually motivated to get one thing achieved” concerning what appears to be an inevitable contract extension earlier than Pittsburgh gamers report back to coaching camp on July 23.
Throughout a Wednesday replace that aired on Bleacher Report’s YouTube channel, NFL insider James Palmer indicated that the Steelers and Watt disagree on how a lot assured cash the one-time NFL Defensive Participant of the Yr Award winner ought to obtain by way of his subsequent deal.
“The Steelers’ argument is that this: that Watt and the protection form of fell off a bit of bit the again finish of final yr,” Palmer defined, as shared by Troy Montgomery of Steelers Depot. “He is had some accidents. He is battled by means of them. He’ll be 31 years outdated (in October). Do you give $100M assured to any person like that? I feel that is the place this battle’s going to occur, however I feel a deal goes to finish up taking place.”
Harm setbacks restricted Watt to 10 video games throughout the 2022 season, however he recorded
11.5 sacks over 17 contests this previous marketing campaign. That mentioned, his closing sack final season occurred in Week 15, and he was chargeable for zero conventional stats throughout Pittsburgh’s wild-card playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens after he appeared to harm his arm/wrist throughout that contest.
Watt is within the closing yr of the extension he signed forward of the 2021 season.
Per Ryan Phillips of Sports activities Illustrated, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter mentioned throughout a Wednesday look on “The Pat McAfee Present” that he does not imagine Watt will get a greater deal than the four-year, $160M contract extension that included $123.5M assured that Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns inked in March. Schefter additionally mentioned he “cannot think about that T.J. Watt would not be there for the beginning of coaching camp and Pittsburgh wouldn’t get a deal achieved.”
It is unclear if Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons resetting the market by signing a brand new deal at any level this summer time would trigger Watt to change his asking worth. Whereas Palmer added that he is assured a deal between Watt and the Steelers “is almost certainly going to get achieved,” it appears like the 2 sides are nonetheless engaged in back-and-forth conversations concerning the assured cash hooked up to the anticipated extension.
