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Steelers Make T.J. Watt Highest-Paid Defender in NFL History
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- Steelers Make T.J. Watt Highest-Paid Defender in NFL History
Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
The wait is finally over for T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers .
Set to head into a contract year, Watt was hoping he and the Steelers' front office could see eye-to-eye on a new deal that would pay him more money and offer more long-term financial security. Mission accomplished.
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According to ESPN's Adam Schefter , the Steelers have signed Watt to a three-year contract extension worth $123 million. It makes him not only the highest-paid defender in the NFL today, but also the richest defensive contract in league history.
Watt's new contract offers an annual average value of $41 million per season, just surpassing the $40 million average Myles Garrett received on his new deal earlier this offseason after he demanded a trade from the Cleveland Browns .
Watt's new deal offers plenty of upside to earn more, but he's already guaranteed a robust $108 million at signing. While it's a big upgrade for Watt, who was set to have a base salary of $21 million and a cap hit of $30.4 million, now both sides can enter the season with complete confidence that they're on the same page.
Entering his ninth NFL season, Watt has already recorded 108 sacks, seven Pro Bowl nods, and four first-team All-Pro selections. He was also named the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year in 2021. Now he'll get to build on those Hall of Fame accolades for a few more seasons in Pittsburgh.
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