Multiple reports surfaced earlier this week suggesting that the Pittsburgh Steelers and unsettled pass-rusher T.J. Watt may come to phrases on a contract extension earlier than veteran Pittsburgh gamers are because of report back to coaching camp on July 23.
For a mailbag revealed on Thursday, Steelers insider Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Put up-Gazette poured some chilly water over these optimistic updates.
Whereas answering a query from a reader, Dulac mentioned that the Steelers and Watt will not come to an settlement “earlier than coaching camp” will get underway.
“They wish to lengthen T.J. and sure will, however I am telling you, it is going to be a troublesome course of. They should watch out about making sensible enterprise selections,” Dulac defined.
Particularly, Dulac mentioned that the Steelers are “pondering” the best way to react to Watt’s contract calls for that seemingly are associated to the four-year, $160M extension that included $123.5M assured that Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns signed in March. Dulac thinks Watt now might wish to be the highest-paid particular person at “extra than simply his place.” Thus, this case may get extra sophisticated if Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons resets the market at any level this summer time.
In 2021, Watt “held in” throughout coaching camp and took part solely in particular person drills till he and the Steelers agreed to an extension shortly earlier than the beginning of that season. For what it is price, Pittsburgh opens the upcoming marketing campaign with a matchup on the New York Jets on Sept. 7.
Watt is within the last year
of his contract.
The Steelers may’ve saved themselves some bother (and doubtless some money) had they labored out a multi-year extension with Watt earlier than Garrett went public along with his commerce request this previous winter. Garrett was at all times going to obtain a pay elevate from both Cleveland or a special membership, and it appears to be a lock that Parsons will higher Garrett’s deal.
Watt is aware of the Steelers signed 41-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers earlier in June to do greater than merely compete for a postseason berth. That mentioned, it stays to be seen if Watt could be prepared to forfeit cash by skipping a sport or two if he does not obtain his desired extension earlier than the primary Sunday of September arrives.
