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Insider: Steelers’ T.J. Watt wants to be highest-paid non-QB, contract timetable revealed
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- Insider: Steelers’ T.J. Watt wants to be highest-paid non-QB, contract timetable revealed
T.J. Watt isn't looking to just surpass Myles Garrett as the highest-paid defender — his bar is set even higher: he wants to become the highest-paid non-QB in the NFL.
This latest development was provided by insider Gerry Dulac, who shared a behind-the-scenes look at Watt's negotiations with the Steelers on Tuesday's episode of The Rich Eisen Show .
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"The stalemate is going to be that T.J. Watt wants to be the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league," Dulac said. "And the Steelers are looking at it that he's age 31. In order to accommodate any kind of large contract, it can't be a three-year deal — it has to be a five-year deal, because you need to spread the money out, in terms of the guarantee and signing bonus, over five years and not three. And now you're looking at T.J. Watt being age 36."
Dulac then predicted a timetable for the deal — between the Steelers' last preseason game on August 21 and the season opener on September 7.
If Watt wants to become the highest-paid non-QB, he'd need to surpass Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase's $40.25 million per year — which is no easy task for Pittsburgh to make happen.
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Previously, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Watt was growing frustrated over the contract negotiations — hinting at potential trade implications hanging in the balance.
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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers' T.J. Watt wants to become highest-paid non-QB, per insider
