Steelers Fans Receive Unexpected Update On TJ Watt's New Contract Timeline

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made many changes this offseason, significantly changing the way the team looks. However, it’s what’s happening behind the scenes that’s drawing the most attention. The Steelers are currently in contract negotiations with star edge rusher TJ Watt, whose current deal expires at the end of this season. The organization is eager to secure a new contract well before his current one runs out, and so are most fans.

However, things don’t appear to be going as smoothly as hoped, as negotiations are still ongoing and no new deal has been finalized. Recently, Steelers insider Mark Kaboly joined 93.7 The Fan to provide an update on Watt. While Kaboly remains confident that the Steelers will ultimately reach an agreement with Watt, he said that the process may take some time.

"What this says to me right now, is it's not getting done until September," Kaboly said.

As most football fans know, September marks the unofficial start of the NFL regular season, with teams finalizing their rosters and preparing for Week 1. At this point in the offseason, Watt has yet to participate in any team activities, including minicamp and other voluntary programs. His continued absence has sparked growing concern among fans. However, it’s important to note that this isn’t an unusual move for a player involved in ongoing contract negotiations, especially one of Watt’s caliber who is looking to secure a deal that reflects his value.

At the end of the day, the NFL is still a business, and what we're seeing with Watt is a reflection of how that business operates, but if the Steelers want to keep Watt, many people believe the Steelers need to change the way they do business. Players of his caliber understand the importance of securing a contract that accurately reflects their value, both on the field and within the organization. Despite the rockiness of the way negations are happening, it seems that both the Steelers and Watt both want the same thing, it's just about meeting at a common ground. 

It's been reported that the Steelers have a deal for Watt on the table, but it doesn't match what Watt wants. Watt is reportedly seeking a deal that is in line with, or even surpasses, that of division rival Myles Garrett. Garrett recently signed a historic contract that made him the highest-paid defensive player in the league annually, setting a new benchmark in the edge rusher market.

The Steelers have the financial flexibility to make a new deal with Watt work, even after all the recent additions to the roster. Many believe that securing Watt’s contract should be a top priority, as the impact of the other moves could be diminished without Watt leading the defense. 

While the team has brought in several top talent veterans this offseason, most of those contracts have been short-term. This strategy has not only preserved cap space, but also allowed the Steelers to remain financially flexible, making room for a potential extension for Watt without long-term commitments to players who may not work out as expected. 

The Steelers Still Do Have Time... Just Not A Lot

If a deal gets done in September, at least just before the regular season kicks off, it wouldn’t be the worst-case scenario for the Steelers. In fact, the team has been in a similar position before; the last time Watt signed an extension, it came right before the start of the 2021 season. So while there’s still a little time left on the clock, time is still ticking. 

With other top edge rushers around the league also seeking new contracts, the market could continue to shift, potentially making Watt’s price even higher. That means the Steelers will need to act sooner rather than later if they want to lock in a deal before the financial implications become even more.

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