Steelers' Contract Negotiations With TJ Watt Taking An Alarming And "Ugly" Turn

The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in a tricky spot with superstar pass rusher TJ Watt. Since joining the team, Watt has been a dominant force and one of the most important players in the organization. He’s already established himself as one of the greatest defenders in NFL history, but he’s also set to turn 31 years old in October, which complicates how the Steelers approach his next contract.

To make matters more difficult for General Manager Omar Khan, Watt reportedly wants to be paid more than Cleveland Browns pass rusher Myles Garrett. That is no small demand, as Garrett recently signed a massive deal that reset the market for edge rushers. The Steelers are trying to handle the situation with cautious planning and fiscal responsibility, but that becomes nearly impossible when dealing with one of the best players in football during a time of skyrocketing contracts.

Steelers insider Mark Kaboly joined 93.7 The Fan on Thursday and revealed that while he still believes a deal will eventually get done, the negotiations are starting to look a little alarming. The team has a history of taking care of its stars, but the tone surrounding this situation is shifting. If it drags on too long, things could turn ugly between the Steelers and one of the faces of the franchise.

"I think he [Omar Khan] wants to get it done, but he sure doesn’t want to overpay or sit there and be held hostage or anything like that by TJ Watt," Kaboly said. "I think they all want him. I think they will eventually get it done. This just happens to be a process here, but if you think about it, it’s turning a little more ugly than last time."

The Steelers just extended Khan on Thursday because they believe he has done an impressive job in his first few years as general manager. Now, Khan faces the difficult challenge of balancing the need to keep a star pass rusher like Watt while avoiding a financial commitment that could become risky, especially with Watt approaching 31 years old.

The Steelers faced a similar situation with Watt back in 2021, but according to Kaboly, this round of negotiations feels much uglier. The stakes are higher, the market is more inflated, and the pressure to get the deal right is mounting.

"It seems like there is a little bit more to it this time," Kaboly said. "It’s just a feeling right now and I don’t know if that is going to escalate or de-escalate to be honest with you."

No one truly believes the Steelers would move on from Watt, especially given how the team has handled its business this offseason. Watt remains a cornerstone of the defense and one of the most respected players in the league. 

However, the recent trade of Minkah Fitzpatrick shows that Khan and the Steelers are willing to part ways with even highly regarded veterans if they believe it is best for the team’s future.

Steelers' Omar Khan Facing A Delicate Situation With TJ Watt

It will be interesting to see how the Steelers manage this delicate situation with Watt. Right now, it feels like the negotiations are reaching a breaking point. According to Kaboly, the outcome will go one of two ways. Either the team and Watt’s camp find common ground soon and smooth things over or the dispute escalates and becomes even more difficult to resolve. The coming weeks will be crucial in deciding the future of this relationship.

For Khan, this isn’t an easy decision, and it will be wild to see how it plays out. Watt certainly deserves every penny he wants, but at what cost to the Steelers’ future? That is where the delicate situation unfolds.

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