ESPN insider Adam Schefter reveals talks between the Pittsburgh Steelers and linebacker T.J. Watt have not gone well.
Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt is still waiting to receive the payday he's looking for entering the final year of his contract. ESPN insider Adam Schefter isn't so sure that is coming anytime soon, either.
"Everybody has just assumed, rightfully, that the two sides will figure it out. But I don't think they're very close right now, and I don't think he's particularly pleased," Schefter said on the "Pat McAfee Show." "He's such a big part of the team, you cannot imagine him not being there. But you would think this situation would be settled by now and it's not."
The Steelers seem to be doing everything but pay Watt. On Monday, they made a blockbuster trade with the Miami Dolphins to acquire cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith .
As part of the deal, Pittsburgh gave Ramsey and Smith raises for the 2025 season, money that Watt may have thought could be going to him.
"It could change just like that, and they could figure out a way to get it done," Schefter said. "But you know what? They just gave Jonnu Smith more money. They just gave Jalen Ramsey more money. They haven't given T.J. Watt more money, and you just wonder how that's going to play out here in the coming weeks."
Watt is coming off the least-productive full season of his NFL career, but he still proved to be a difference maker while recording 11.5 sacks and a league-leading six forced fumbles.
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt during a game against the New York Giants on Oct. 28, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
It's unclear how much money Watt is looking to get in his next extension, but many believe he wants to top Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett , who was made the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history this offseason.
Garrett's contract extension pays him $40 million per year. Meanwhile, Watt is scheduled to earn just $21.05 million in salary in 2025, none of which is guaranteed.
Time is ticking for the Steelers and Watt to find common ground with training camp just around the corner.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Schefter: Steelers, T.J. Watt Not Very Close to Deal Right Now
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