TJ Watt Extension Coming Soon?

[Steeler Nation]

Well, it’s either going to come soon for TJ Watt, or it won’t be happening until after the season. The Steelers have a strict policy dating back to the early 90s of not talking contracts during the season. There has never been any exceptions made.

So with that in mind the Steelers are under three weeks away from a deadline. But today Pittsburgh Post Gazette writer Gerry Dulac said that he expects a monster contract to come as soon as this weekend for Watt.

Now that the preseason is almost over, expect T.J. Watt to sign a contract extension shortly after the Carolina game that will make him the league's highest-paid defensive player.

— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) August 23, 2021

In my mind there was never a doubt about whether or not this was going to happen. I just hoped it was earlier rather than later. But at this point I’ll just be happy when it’s done.

Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..

 

[TDX27]

5 years, $150 million, $50 million signing bonus with another $25 million roster bonus after year 1 or year 2. I think his salary goes to $150 million because they will refuse to go higher than $50 million as a signing bonus. If they would have given him closer to $100 million bonus like others have gotten, his salary might be closer to $130 million.

 

[FSF]

Sigh - the size of contract is immaterial. Final number is hardly one that has not been reached.

Guaranteed money is a misnomer and misleading. It’s more money that’s guaranteed. The signing bonus is the money paid up front.

Other guarantees take form in roster bonuses, workout bonuses, etc. They do require making team each year. And only top players get a 2nd year guaranteed if cut previous year—Mahomes got this in his deal.

For example—Means if released in 2023, 2024 is guaranteed to pay out. His contract is unique in # of years this is in effect as it’s been done before. Other players (Le’Veon Bell for one) did not receive his full “guaranteed money” because he was released—the money hurts teams in dead cap space hit…which for many top players is Gargantuan.

Watts negotiaton and likely holdup is about the semantics of the when and how much the lump sum of money is paid out and in what form of intervals - signing/workout/roster bonuses, etc. Bonuses that are easy to earn provided making team.

Watt is has the character that the Rooney’s desire to keep on the team. Ward, Bettis, Polamalu — others who held similar status. The only one they let get away held in such regard was Woodson and they regretted it.