The Pittsburgh Steelers face a tense standoff with superstar pass rusher and former NFL Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt.
With training camp just over a week away, there’s no resolution in sight between the two sides on a contract extension. Watt is currently entering the final season of a four-year contract that he signed back in 2021. The contract averages about $28 million per year, which ranks seventh in annual revenue compared to other edge rushers.
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garret has set the bar high as he recently signed a four-year extension, bringing his total commitment with the team to six years, and his $40 million per year is almost $5 million more than Danielle Hunter, who is the second-highest paid at the position.
Watt and the Steelers have an uphill battle to climb when it comes to getting a deal done. He didn’t report to mandatory minicamp last month, and there’s a belief around Pittsburgh that he will continue to hold out during training camp.
Although the Steelers typically don’t negotiate with players if they are holding out, they did break that rule in 2021 with Watt. He signed an extension just days before the 2021 season after conducting a hold-in, where he reported to camp but only did individual workouts.
According to veteran Steelers beat writer Mark Kaboly, the team might not budge this time around.
“I’m showing up, I’m doing my side workout, what I would be doing in Wisconsin anyway, and we can keep the lines of communication open,” Kaboly said. “There’s a lot of things that Omar and the organization have changed over the past three or four years. I don’t think they’re willing to say, “We’re willing to negotiate with people who are not here.”
While there have been some trade rumors surrounding Watt, they’re unlikely. As training camp approaches, this saga is likely to escalate, and it will be fascinating to see if the two sides can reach a compromise.
