The good news is Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt is practicing and will likely play on Sunday when Pittsburgh opens up the season in Buffalo.
The bad news is a new deal is not done.
But according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport there is a least some hope.
Rapoport says that the two sides are still talking as the Steelers self-imposed Saturday deadline approaches.
“Maybe a glimmer of hope, a little bit the two sides are still talking, they’re still engaged, they’re still negotiating and working on it,” said Rapoport, “No guarantee it gets done, but at least when the two sides are trying to work it out there’s a shot that Watt would get paid.”
If Watt does get his pay day this season, it would make him the highest paid defensive player in the NFL.
Something that team captains Ben Roethlisberger and Cam Heyward have both said needs to happen.
Watt practiced with his teammates for the first time on Wednesday after not taking part in any team drills in Training Camp or the preseason.
If Watt and the Steelers can’t come to an agreement, Pittsburgh has the ability to place the franchise tag on him the next two seasons.
The main reason a deal hasn’t been done yet? Guaranteed money. The Steelers don’t promise guaranteed money after the first year of a new deal, but Watt and his people want that to extend beyond.