PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – TJ Watt wasn’t there for the first week of Steelers Organized Team Activities, but his running mate says not to worry about him this season or in the future.
“I’ve been catching up with him all offseason,” said Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith. “He really wants to be here. I’m very confident they are going to get a deal done.”
The 30-year-old Watt is under contract for this season, but it’s Steelers management practice to extend key players going into the final year of their deal. Watt will make $21 million in salary this year, but combine it with other bonuses, he counts $30.418 million against their cap in 2025.
What has likely impacted Watt is the contract Myles Garrett signed with Cleveland. Garrett will make $40 million a season under his new deal. Danielle Hunter is the next highest paid edge rusher in the NFL at $35.6 million, Maxx Crosby $35.5 million and Nick Bosa at $34 million.
There is seemingly competition between Garrett and Watt for everything including NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Don’t expect Watt to ‘settle’ for less than what the Browns gave Garrett. Dallas linebacker Micah Parsons is due a new contract and its expected to be higher than Garrett’s.
Waiting would only seem to drive the price up.
While the sack numbers were down last season, 11.5, Watt was still top eight in the league. He led the NFL with six forced fumbles and was second in tackles for loss.
Four years ago, Watt showed up for mandatory offseason work by ‘holding in’. He would participate in individual drills, but not in team work. The 2021 contract extension wasn't signed until days before the opening game. With only one day of practice with the team, Watt had two sacks, a forced fumble and five quarterback hits in an upset win at Buffalo in Week 1.
If there is one noticeable difference this season, it’s the Steelers are exploring moving Watt and Highsmith around during games. They believe that will increase the sack numbers for both, but they want to get some reps in practice before it’s done in a game.
Next week the Steelers work is again voluntary, the following week it’s mandatory. For what the team wants to do on defense, solving this situation quickly could not only improve the defense, but likely save them money to what it could be when Parsons’ signs.