Roethlisberger on Watt: “I think he should get whatever the heck he wants”

[Steeler Nation]

Pittsburgh Steelers fans are all very much aware of the T.J. Watt contract situation. With a big Week 1 match-up looming in Buffalo in four days, if Watt continues to not practice this week, he may not be available for the season opener. Earlier this week, head coach Mike Tomlin spoke on the elephant in the room in his weekly press conference:

“I remain optimistic that something is going to get done from a deal perspective,” he explained. “That aside, you know, I’m expecting him to work tomorrow [Wednesday]. I’m proceeding with the assumption that he’s going to work tomorrow. You know, that’s kind of the approach that I’m taking.”

It looks like Coach Tomlin is gearing up for Watt to play on Sunday.






Earlier on Wednesday, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger took his turn with the media before practice. In his presser, Roethlisberger voiced his support for Watt:

“I think he should get whatever the heck he wants. He’s arguably the best football player in the game right now; not just on defense, but in general. I’ve been through a couple of negotiations here with contracts. One of the reasons I took less money was for guys like him to get paid. And he needs to get paid; he deserves every penny he wants and asks for,” Roethlisberger said. “T.J. Watt is that guy who should get whatever he wants”, Roethlisberger proclaimed.

Roethlisberger went onto say that Watt attended every practice when he could’ve just sat out and that he continued to work hard and keep himself in shape. When a veteran team captain announces his support for a younger player amidst contact negotiations, that says a lot. When that veteran captain also adds that he took less money solely to allow the organization to pay that same player, that speaks volumes. It is clear that the team sees Watt has a major asset and rightfully so, and are eager to get him back in live action.






For reference, Watt will turn 27 years old on October 11th and is a 3x Pro Bowler and 2x All-Pro. Watt led the entire league in sacks in 2020 with 15, and has a total of 49.5 sacks since he was drafted in 2017. When Roethlisberger said Watt is the best player in football, he’s spot on. Further, when Roethlisberger said that Watt should get whatever he wants, I’m sure all of Steeler Nation agrees with that statement.

It is time to make Watt the highest paid defensive player in football and close this chapter once and for all.



When do you think Watt’s contract extension will be announced? How much do you think he should get paid? Let us know in the comments below!

#SteelerNation

Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..

 

[SteelerInLebanon]

I think at this point he plays out this year then gets a dump truck in his driveway next year when they don’t have the cap worries.

 

[troymania]

I have said on here before, I love TJ Watt. He is the best in the game at the position he plays. However, that position is not Quarterback. The money has to go towards your next franchise QB. Pay TJ but not to the detriment to the whole roster.

 

[Djfan]

I think that Ben would have been wiser to answer "What TJ and I discuss is private." and left it there.

 

[SteelerFan448]

I have said on here before, I love TJ Watt. He is the best in the game at the position he plays. However, that position is not Quarterback. The money has to go towards your next franchise QB. Pay TJ but not to the detriment to the whole roster.

Unless you're prepared for the Steelers to trade 3 first-round picks for a true franchise QB they aren't going to have to worry about QB dollars until a future rookie is ready to strike it rich. Ben is right, Watt deserves to get paid and get paid very well.

 

[Steelr4evr]

I think that Ben would have been wiser to answer "What TJ and I discuss is private." and left it there.

He's just going to bat for his teammate.

 

[Djfan]

He's just going to bat for his teammate.

I get it. The media hates him, IMO, so they may twist it. That was my thinking. No reason for him to get in the mud with the rest.

 

[Steelworth]

He's just going to bat for his teammate.

I hear you but I agree with Dee to the Jay that saying "that's their deal" would've been the wiser move. I do like Ben's candid nature though.

BTW I know some schmuck with the same name^.

 

[Djfan]

I hear you but I agree with Dee to the Jay that saying "that's their deal" would've been the wiser move. I do like Ben's candid nature though.

BTW I know some schmuck with the same name^.

I've been a schmuck, but it's not the name.

I DJ'd weddings for over 30 years. Thus, this nick.

 

[Drink IRON City]

I think that Ben would have been wiser to answer "What TJ and I discuss is private." and left it there.

I agree as BEN may think he knows but he actually doesn't have a clue as to the overall finacial health of the business. Employees have a pension for putting their two-bits in on the big picture yet only have the small picture view....................... similar to most of us fans. BEN may have a little bit more picture than us but he does NOT have the complete picture. His comments can be the start of contention amongst the employees as that is EXACTLY what these players are.

Do I want this issue resolved, HELL YES but I also want our QB to shut the **** up and let people do their job.






Salute the nation

 

[SteelerSask2]

Keep your nose out of it Ben. Maybe that was part of the reason you "took less" but the main reason was that you wanted to play another year and didn't want to move from your family or uproot them. Furthermore, I'd bet if you really looked at Ben's contract carefully he probably got most of his market value in New money. Most of the cap hit was signing bonus pushed off with Steelers remortgages. There is a portion of this league that feels Ben is washed up. It's not like the welcome wagon was awaiting him in FA.

 

[milkman dan]

Every player in the league is gonna say that. They all are going to advocate for every player to get the absolute max payday every single time, as they should.