Why Watt allegedly isn’t ‘in any hurry’ to get Steelers extension done

A number of stories shared over the ultimate week of June indicated that folks throughout the Pittsburgh Steelers “are optimistic” the membership will get a deal executed with unsettled pass-rusher T.J. Watt. 

Watt stayed away from the workforce throughout its obligatory minicamp earlier in June amid his want for a contract extension.

In the course of the newest version of the “#1 Cochran Sports activities Showdown” program that airs on Pittsburgh tv station KDKA, Steelers insider Mark Kaboly of “The Pat McAfee Present” hinted that Watt is prepared to attend and see if Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys, Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals or Aidan Hutchinson of the Detroit Lions resets the marketplace for gamers on the place this summer time. 

“That is one of many the reason why I do not suppose T.J.’s in any hurry,” Kaboly mentioned in regards to the Watt state of affairs, based on Joe Clark of Steelers Depot. “How does it profit T.J. Watt to signal proper now? You understand he is gonna maintain in. …So why not take it up till [September?] See what Micah Parsons and Aidan Hutchinson may be capable to get.”

Kaboly was referencing how Watt participated solely in particular person drills throughout coaching camp in 2021 till he and the Steelers agreed to an extension shortly earlier than the beginning of that season.

Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns doubtless modified Watt’s asking value after Garrett signed a four-year, $160M deal that included $123.5M assured earlier within the offseason. For a bit revealed on June 11, Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports activities predicted that Parsons will get a four-year, $162M extension from the Cowboys. It is unclear if Watt would look to raised such a contract earlier than the upcoming marketing campaign will get underway. 

Whereas Watt is signed by means of the 2025 season, Pittsburgh ought to need to make him proud of a pay increase sooner moderately than later. The Steelers’ signing of 41-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers earlier in June was at all times a win-now transfer even earlier than ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Monday that Pittsburgh was buying cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight finish Jonnu Smith from the Miami Dolphins in change for security Minkah Fitzpatrick and a choose swap.

“I do not suppose they’re very shut proper now,” Schefter mentioned throughout a Monday look on “The Pat McAfee Present” about contract talks between Pittsburgh and Watt, per Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot. “And I do not suppose that he is notably happy.”

Watt might not have a quantity in thoughts that might make him “happy” if he’s actually ready for others to obtain extensions. Briefly, it sounds just like the Watt-Steelers saga might not wrap up earlier than Pittsburgh gamers report for coaching camp on July 23.