The Pittsburgh Steelers are beginning minicamp on Tuesday. But, star pass rusher TJ Watt is not expected to be there, per Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
“Steelers star edge rusher T.J. Watt, who is entering the final year of his contract and seeking an extension, does not plan to attend mandatory minicamp, league sources said Tuesday.”
Now, it isn’t exactly surprising since Watt has been wanting a new deal. He is in the final year of a four-year extension he signed in 2021, one he “held in” all the up until right before the first game of the season.
Watt’s deal in 2021 made him the highest-paid defender in the NFL. However, that isn’t the case anymore. Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett reset the market with a whopping four-year, $204.8 million extension, and stars such as Danielle Hunter, Nick Bosa and Maxx Crosby each are earning $34 million or more annually.
So, at the very least, it seems that Watt wants a deal in that range, but the NFL sack leader could desire to be paid as the highest pass rusher in the NFL.
Steelers new wide receiver DK Metcalf also signed a four-year deal worth $132 million, which earns him $33 million per year.
Jake Cardonick estimated Watt’s desired deal to be in the four-year, $129 million range while projecting that Watt inks a three-year deal worth $113 million, which would be right under $40 million per year.
So, despite the Steelers signing Aaron Rodgers, they now face a giant question about the contract of Watt.
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