Insider addresses chatter about T.J. Watt possibly holding out

A Monday replace indicated that star pass-rusher T.J. Watt might keep away from the Pittsburgh Steelers via no less than the beginning of coaching camp if he would not obtain his desired contract extension earlier than Pittsburgh gamers report for camp on July 23.  

Throughout Tuesday’s version of ESPN’s “Unsportsmanlike” program, NFL insider Adam Schefter advised Steelers followers should not but be nervous about Watt’s standing for summer season practices. 

“I am not able to say something like that proper now on July 8,” Schefter stated about Watt probably holding out, per Josh Carney of Steelers Depot. “If we get to Aug. 8 and it is nonetheless not resolved, nicely, that turns into a bit bit extra fascinating. And if it will get to Sept. 8, that is a giant drawback. However there’s loads of time to work this stuff out, and despite the fact that the perimeters is perhaps far aside proper now, I nonetheless suppose that in some way, together with his significance to that franchise, that they will determine a solution to get this carried out sooner or later in time.”

The Steelers and Watt reportedly are “far aside” concerning the quantity of assured cash the 30-year-old will obtain by way of his anticipated extension. It is assumed Pittsburgh hasn’t but introduced Watt with a contract price greater than the four-year, $160M extension that included $123.5M assured that Myles Garrett inked to stick with the Cleveland Browns in March. 

Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys might higher Garrett’s deal earlier than coaching camp will get underway, and fellow pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals might additionally alter the market if he receives an extension this month. 

Chatter in regards to the Steelers probably buying and selling Watt has hovered over the membership since he skipped the group’s obligatory minicamp in June. In line with Schefter, the Steelers “have zero intention of buying and selling” Watt after they signed 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers to be their beginning quarterback earlier than the membership’s summer season break. 

“You possibly can’t have it each methods,” Schefter added in regards to the Steelers-Watt saga. “You possibly can’t say we need to maintain this man that badly after which be far aside within the contract. In order that’s as much as these two sides to determine how one can resolve that.”

Watt participated in particular person drills throughout coaching camp till he obtained an extension to his liking forward of the beginning of the 2021 common season. If he would not report for camp later this month, that would present that the state of affairs has change into “extra fascinating” than it appears to be as of July 8.