Two defensive stars have seen major pay bumps this offseason. Both Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett earned contract extensions back in March, driving up the market for the next among their group to get their due.
The most notable extension discussions surrounding a defensive player this offseason have actually involved Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys. Parsons reportedly wants over $200 million on his next deal though both sides seem to have an agreement in principle.
Over the last week, Pittsburgh Steelers' defensive anchor T.J. Watt has thrown out some hints that he is ready for his own recognition in the form of an extension. Watt will enter the final year of a four-year $112 million extension he signed back in 2021.
Thus far the Steelers and Watt have not initiated these conversations, leaving the door open for speculation as to what the team will do on this front. Still in need of a quarterback for next season, Chris Canty suggested they trade Watt for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy on ESPN's UnSportsmanlike.
Canty noted that the Niners could give returning defensive coordinator Robert Saleh a lift, acquiring the defensive star and use their No. 11 pick on a quarterback. Damien Woody shot down that idea, getting hot while focusing on the Purdy side of the deal.
“It’s disrespectful to Brock Purdy, to be honest with you … Why in the world would the San Francisco 49ers, who, by the way, have been unloading guys off their roster because they know they have to pay the quarterback — why would you make that trade? It makes absolutely no sense,” he said.
Purdy and the Niners are sorting through their own extension matters. Despite his impressive performance since taking over the starting job, some believe he is still replaceable in their system.
That same flawed thinking is what makes a move on from Watt simply ridiculous from Pittsburgh's perspective. Watt is one of the few players in the league with a presence that plays an active role on the field.
He may not always finish Pittsburgh's biggest plays, but he has been at the epicenter of the team's biggest moments on that side of the ball since his arrival. While the Steelers must work out a solution for their quarterback spot, it is simply not worth trading away their most impactful player.
