The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a busy offseason that has kept the team in the headlines. First, it was the pursuit of a quarterback that lasted over two months. The room completely turned over, but Aaron Rodgers eventually signed with the organization and he will be the starter for the 2025 season. The other pressing issue is the contract situation with TJ Watt. The star outside linebacker is entering the final year of his deal, and he was not present at Organized Team Activities (OTAs) or mandatory minicamp. He has been holding out, and that will continue until a deal gets done.
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Steelers' TJ Watt dances with the football after getting a big turnover against the Browns in 2023.
Watt initially wanted an extension during the 2024 offseason while he still had two years left on his current deal. Had Pittsburgh done that, the organization would likely have been able to sign Watt for much cheaper then it will end up agreeing to this offseason. This is because of the new deals that have already been done during the 2025 offseason with other edge rushers around the league, like Maxx Crosby, Danielle Hunter, and Myles Garrett. Watt wants to be paid in the same realm as those guys, which is completely understandable considering it was the organization that decided to wait on a new deal.
NFL insider Peter Schrager spoke about the contract situation during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday, and he shared that both sides want the deal to be done sooner rather than later.
"I know both sides are really motivated to get something done here," Schrager said. "They don't want to go into training camp and have this thing drag on. The Rodgers domino fell; DeShon Elliott's a nice player to have. But this was always going to be let's get Rodgers in camp, and I think the TJ Watt deal has to get done. Now, from what I'm told, both sides want it to get done. Obviously, TJ Watt's going to want a certain amount of money. Question is, is it a game of chicken? Where it's, okay, TJ Watt takes a deal that the Steelers offer and then a week later, Micah Parsons blows his deal out of the water and we're in the same place that we were beforehand."
Schrager expressed that both sides want the deal to get done, specifically before the start of training camp. This would be ideal, especially since the Steelers usually don't wrap up their extensions with players until shortly before the regular season begins. Watt held-in ahead of the 2021 season, and he didn't sign a deal until the week of the regular season opener.
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Steelers' TJ Watt says bye to an away crowd after a game.
Watt is not the only edge rusher waiting for a new contract. Micah Parsons is awaiting an extension from the Dallas Cowboys, while Trey Hendrickson is also looking for a new deal. It is probably best for a player to be the last one to sign, as each deal that gets inked is likely going to beat the one that was signed prior. Schrager spoke about an important factor in the deals, discussing who will sign first out of the premier edge rushers.
"So it's always interesting to see when you're talking top of the market guys, who is going to take that offer first?" Schrager said. "Who's motivated to get it done first and who's willing to wait it out?"
If Watt and Pittsburgh are looking to get this deal done prior to training camp, there is a good chance that he will not become the highest-paid defender in the league (at least not for long). It will more than likely be Parsons as he is significantly younger, and he can line up nearly everywhere in a defensive formation.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' TJ Watt goes for a sack against Joe Burrow in Week 13 during the 2024 season.
Steelers' TJ Watt Should Feel No Rush To Get A Deal Done
The last time Watt was dealing with contract issues, he held-in at camp ahead of the 2021 season. He was present, but not practicing. He is trusted to make sure he gets his body into shape ahead of the season, as he still managed to have the best season of his career in 2021. This should make him feel like he doesn't need to get to camp immediately, and can wait out while Hendrickson or Parsons sign a deal -- and he can potential beat their value in Pittsburgh.
What do you think about the remarks from Schrager? Let us know in the comments below!
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