T.J. Watt’s future with the Pittsburgh Steelers is a massive question mark. The All-Pro defender is set to hit unrestricted free agency next offseason, and there hasn’t been much movement from Pittsburgh regarding a potential extension.
Watt also made a few cryptic posts on social media earlier in the offseason, which has caused Steelers fans to grow concerned about the state of negotiations between the superstar edge rusher and the team.
Though there shouldn’t be high panic, it is a bit concerning that the Steelers haven’t signed Watt to a new deal, especially with Myles Garrett getting a new contract from the Cleveland Browns in March. Garrett signed a four-year extension worth $160 million with the Browns.
Obviously, Watt will be looking for a deal similar to what Garrett got from Cleveland. However, Ray Fittipaldo of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette believes the Steelers superstar will not sign an extension unless his deal includes more guaranteed money than Garrett. The Browns All-Pro defender received $123 million in guaranteed money.
“It’s going to be about the guaranteed money,” Fittipaldo said about Watt’s potential extension. “The Steelers likely have to surpass what Garrett got in guarantees for that deal to get done.”
Watt deserves another lucrative contract from Pittsburgh, and the franchise should take care of its franchise legend. The 30-year-old may already be a lock for the Hall of Fame and has posted the most sacks in the NFL since he entered the league in 2017.
Garrett’s $123 million guarantee is a hefty price, and the Steelers will likely have to surpass that to get a deal done with Watt. However, making the 2021 AP Defensive Player of the Year the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history should be a no-brainer for Pittsburgh.
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