Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports the Pittsburgh Steelers are confident they will reach an agreement with outside linebacker T.J. Watt .
The Pittsburgh Steelers and All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt are reportedly not very close to a deal . But Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reveals the Steelers are still more than confident the two sides will come to an agreement on an extension.
"The last time around, those negotiations lasted deep into training camp and the preseason, with Watt holding in and not practicing until the deal was done. It worked, with Watt then getting a record $28 million per year in new-money average," Florio writes . "This time, the Steelers seem to believe (based on our discussions with those familiar with the team's approach) that, when their best number is put on the table, Watt will take it."
Watt has taken a very similar approach this time around. He skipped OTAs and mandatory minicamp last month, so all eyes will be on Latrobe when the team reports to training camp later this month.
The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year is certainly deserving of a new deal. He is coming off the least-productive full season of his NFL career, but he still proved to be worth every penny while recording 11.5 sacks and a league-leading six forced fumbles.
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt hits Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in a game on Dec. 1, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Watt is currently scheduled to make just $21.05 million in salary in 2025, none of which is guaranteed.
Meanwhile, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett was just made the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history this offseason with a contract extension that pays him $40 million per year.
That is likely the number Watt is trying to match or break, but Florio thinks the Steelers are going to do their best to keep it under Garrett's record-breaking deal .
"Our guess (and it's just a guess) is that the Steelers hope to stay closer to the Maxx Crosby range of $35.5 million, with Watt hoping to surge past Myles Garrett's $40 million per year," Florio adds.
Only time will tell if Watt will get the payday he's looking for, but it's difficult to imagine him playing anywhere else but Pittsburgh.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Report: Steelers Believe T.J. Watt Will Accept Their Best Offer
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