T.J. Watt is seeking a new contract in Pittsburgh, potentially a record-setting one or at least close to it.
Part of the Steelers’ problem is that they already paid DK Metcalf.
At least, that’s how NFL insider Mike Florio lays out the dilemma. Florio broke it down on Pro Football Talk on Thursday.
“DK Metcalf, when they give him a five-year, $130 million contract, and he’s never played for the team before, that’s going to embolden the guy who’s been a loyal servant since 2017 to say, ‘If you’re going to give him market value, and he’s a stranger to the Steelers, I want market value too, and it’s not unreasonable for me to expect it,’” Florio said.
Florio’s analysis is a good reminder that these NFL players are human.
They react to situations much in the way that any of us would. If someone else gets a raise, it very well could prompt the longer-tenured employee to wonder why they haven’t already gotten their boost.
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Watt is entering the final year of his contract, which was signed in 2021 for four years and $112 million.
The market at edge rusher has grown substantially since then, with Cleveland’s Myles Garrett now the standard bearer at four years for $160 million.
Watt isn’t at OTAs, making at least a small statement of intent.
He’s coming off a down year by his standards, and he’s 30 now, so Pittsburgh may be a bit hesitant to break the whole bank for Watt.
But if the choice is between keeping Watt happy and on the team or not, the Steelers really only have one way they can go with the face of their franchise. Metcalf, through no fault of his own, has backed them into this corner.
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