Watt’s Up?

[Steeler Nation]

As the Pittsburgh Steelers kicked off training camp last month, Steelers fans saw a lot of familiar faces return to Heinz Field to gear up for the 2021 NFL season. Of course, there is always a rush of excitement when we see live football in Pittsburgh and the countdown to opening day begins. But with each training camp, there are also business decisions to be made. For fans who sat in on the most recent open practices, they saw a familiar face along the sidelines and working separately from the team; T.J. Watt. So, “Watt” does this mean?






Watt is in the final year of his rookie contract and we are all aware of the massive need to make Watt a Steeler for life. The Steelers’ front office (being mainly Steelers President Art Rooney II and General Manager Kevin Colbert) have been making a plethora of changes and adjustments to current players’ contracts in preparation for retaining key talent on the team going into 2022. Earlier this week, Rooney met with the media and talked a bit about the situation:

“We’d like to get T.J.’s deal done, if we can, before the start of the season … That’s the goal. I don’t like to get into those details in terms of the discussions, but we’re going to try to get it done by the start of the season if we can.”

It looks like we have an old-fashioned holdout on our hands.

When Steelers fans think of a “holdout”, our minds go back to the Le’Veon Bell debacle in 2017. Before Bell, we even saw the likes of Hines Ward holdout after the Super Bowl victory in 2005. Bell did not apologize for his holdout, felt no remorse, and was seemingly happy to leave Pittsburgh. Ward on the other hand, regretted his holdout and apologized to Rooney and the team. In his press conference this week, Rooney explained:

“I try not to get optimistic or pessimistic. I’ve seen these things go so many different ways over the years. We’re just going to do our best and I think both sides want to get something done so that’s always a good thing.”

It is obvious Watt wants to stay in Pittsburgh and the Steelers want to do what they can to make that happen.






In 2021, Watt is due to earn about $10M. According to Spotrac, Watt has an “estimated worth” of $127.36M over a five-year span, averaging $25.47 per year. If these numbers hold, Watt would be the second-highest paid edge rusher in the NFL (the highest paid is the Los Angeles Chargers’ Joey Bosa at about $27M per year). The Steelers have never paid that much to a defensive player in history. With the 2022 NFL salary cap ceiling set at $208.2M, the Steelers are looking for a way to afford this type of contract with Watt. Looking at the numbers, they could very well do it.

Historically, the Steelers try to complete contract talks before the regular season kicks off; preferably in the down-time between minicamp and training camp. With that said, I expect the Steelers and Watt to get something done in time for the season opener on September 12th. There is no question of Watt not wanting to play in Pittsburgh in 2021, let alone not playing at all, and the Steelers are eager to see him on the field. Expect big news from the Steelers and Watt in the coming month.



Do yinz think a deal will get done before the season opener? Sound off in the comment section below!

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[slashsteel]

Don't see a holdout of any kind happening. I think a deal will be done before game 1.

 

[Steelers1356]

Not really a holdout since he's been at camp, but it's obvious Watt is being cautious which is understandable under the circumstances.

 

[alancac98]

Hell, TJ could tear both of his ACL's in the first practice and still command 20 million in salary the next season from anyone! His work ethic and drive are second to none and everyone knows it. He would be back with his hair on fire!!!

 

[Drink IRON City]

I too see a deal getting done. I think it's down to wording and first year money.



Salute the nation

 

[mightyguru]

We're good.

 

[stillwright]

Not really a holdout since he's been at camp, but it's obvious Watt is being cautious which is understandable under the circumstances.

Lol.....dude is under contract. The circumstances are he should be a full go if healthy. Lets get to work Watt.

 

[stillwright]

I hope we sign Watt long-term. In the end, maybe it would be best if we simply let him play out this year. Then franchise tag him for the next two seasons. Does anyone know what the price tag would be for the FT? I read an article basically saying Watt's brother started breaking down after he received his big contract in Texas. It isn't like our defense hasn't had major collapses in games (regular season and the playoffs) without Watt in there. In the end, if we can't work a deal out I would be ok with it. Maybe even trade him for a few draft picks. I wonder how everyone would feel if we don't reach a long-term deal with Watt before week 1. It could end up as another Bell situation. Does ownership cough up extra $$$ so that doesn't happen? As DIC stated. It is probably all about upfront $$$$$. Just like it was with Bell.

 

[Fiji Mariner]

Don’t the Steelers usually try to fit all the guaranteed/signing bonus money in the first two years of a non QB contract? It seems this is the SOP so they can later convert salary to bonus in the back years of a contract to free up cap room as needed.
I’m sure Watt’s agent is trying to make them buck that trend because he will
command far more bonus money (on the FA market) than can be structured into the first 2 years of a deal. The Steelers may have to make a change to the salary structure playbook in this scenario to get the deal done. I would expect at least 40-45m in bonus/guaranteed which would be hard to squeeze into the first 2 years, with the salary he will command that would be a gigantic (franchise QB) cap hit.

pay the man!!!!

 

[Fiji Mariner]

Stillwright- financially letting him play out the 10m this season then back to back tags would be the most financially responsible for sure. The only problem is the message it sends to every other player when your best player can’t even get paid market value. It would save cap dollars but likely be a moral/loyalty killer doing that.

 

[TDX27]

It's going to come down to guaranteed money. The Steelers way of not giving more than one year salary as a signing bonus doesn't work in the NFL anymore with big-time players and won't work in Watt's case. They need to come up with at least 2 years salary guaranteed as many teams would give him much more than that.

 

[SteelerFan448]

It's going to come down to guaranteed money. The Steelers way of not giving more than one year salary as a signing bonus doesn't work in the NFL anymore with big-time players and won't work in Watt's case. They need to come up with at least 2 years salary guaranteed as many teams would give him much more than that.

Yep, the Steelers are going to have to change their way of structuring contracts. It simply isn't going to work with their star players moving forward.

 

[BLITZ]

We have so much salary cap next year, his contract really should not be a big problem

 

[stillwright]

Stillwright- financially letting him play out the 10m this season then back to back tags would be the most financially responsible for sure. The only problem is the message it sends to every other player when your best player can’t even get paid market value. It would save cap dollars but likely be a moral/loyalty killer doing that.

The Steelers tried their best to come to terms with Bell. In the end it didn't work out for Bell. The Steelers can try as hard as they can to sign Watt. If they cannot come to terms with each other over upfront money by week one(which wouldn't surprise me) what do you do then? Break your rule of not working on deals during the season? Franchise him next year? If they don't work out a deal this year do you think it is possible the following year? Do you tag him and then trade him next year if they don't agree to terms this off season?

 

[TDX27]

****, the Steelers might be dragging their feet as well due to COVID. We all know liberal governors and the liberal NFL will end up not allowing full stadiums with this current fear campaign they are running. That might happen the week before the season starts. If that happens, next years cap won't be as high as they are expecting so, they could wait and franchise him. It's not ideal but they could be waiting to see what happens. The liberals will keep full fear with COVID going through the 2022 election because it's the only chance they have to slow the red tsunami coming. They will then do it again heading to 2024. Rooney may be privy to alot of that **** that's going to or might happen.

 

[steelhurt]

And the Steelers absolutely need to get rid of this archaic policy of not negotiating during the season. That’s always been a stupid policy and gives us much less time to sign players at season end.
Come on Artie, this is not grandpa and dads NFL anymore. It’s pretty much about show
me the money then I’ll be loyal. Keep negotiations open during the season.

 

[Fiji Mariner]

For a franchise deeply rooted in its own traditions and ways change can be very hard. Most of us fans love the stability our beloved organization has, but one must attempt to grow and evolve at some point. The Steelers hamstring themselves with some of their self imposed rules, most notably in the scenario of not negotiating during a season and bonus money per non QB contract. It would be one thing if these traditions were yielding the traditional results we once had of adding Lombardis to the trophy case. But damn, it’s been way too long since we’ve been truly relevant in the second season...the only one that matters. A little change for the benefit of keeping talent and adjusting to the times may just be in order. To keep doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results...well
You know what that is...hindsight is 20/20 and it’s 2021 now guys...let’s GO!!!

 

[Punxsutawney]

I hope we sign Watt long-term. In the end, maybe it would be best if we simply let him play out this year. Then franchise tag him for the next two seasons. Does anyone know what the price tag would be for the FT? I read an article basically saying Watt's brother started breaking down after he received his big contract in Texas. It isn't like our defense hasn't had major collapses in games (regular season and the playoffs) without Watt in there. In the end, if we can't work a deal out I would be ok with it. Maybe even trade him for a few draft picks. I wonder how everyone would feel if we don't reach a long-term deal with Watt before week 1. It could end up as another Bell situation. Does ownership cough up extra $$$ so that doesn't happen? As DIC stated. It is probably all about upfront $$$$$. Just like it was with Bell.

Just because JJ had some issues after his first big contract does not mean that TJ will, especially considering JJ was more of an interior player and had more wear and tear on his body as a result.

Plus, it's not like JJ has declined that much. He's still good enough to have received another big contract from the Cardinals this year.

A team cannot be afraid to pay market value for franchise-caliber players due to fear of what could happen. TJ is in his mid-20s and has virtually no injury history.

Anything could happen, but the risks are relatively low with him. He definitely is not the kind of player who will let up in terms of conditioning and effort once he cashes in, which was unfortunately the case with Lamar Woodley.

 

[stillwright]

Just because JJ had some issues after his first big contract does not mean that TJ will, especially considering JJ was more of an interior player and had more wear and tear on his body as a result.

Plus, it's not like JJ has declined that much. He's still good enough to have received another big contract from the Cardinals this year.

A team cannot be afraid to pay market value for franchise-caliber players due to fear of what could happen. TJ is in his mid-20s and has virtually no injury history.

Anything could happen, but the risks are relatively low with him. He definitely is not the kind of player who will let up in terms of conditioning and effort once he cashes in, which was unfortunately the case with Lamar Woodley.

Meh. I don't know if it is worth signing him to a mega-contract. We have had major failures defensively with him on the field. In the regular season and the playoffs. Maybe letting him play out his 5th-year option and a few tags is the smart way to go. Either way, if it doesn't get done...the contract....we could see another Bell situation on our hands.

 

[Stryker]

If you guys think Watt and Bell are the same situation, I can't see your point of view. Bell was a top RB in an a very replaceable position. Top Edge rushers get PAID period. Watt is the top in his craft on the edge and just led the league in Sacks. He has a Watt work ethic to not only be the best on his team, but the best in the league, and the best all time. You sign this type of player because he does not have a Woodley work ethic. He makes the team better because other teams have to gameplan for him specifically, and they still can't stop him from getting to their QBs.

If Watt is unwilling to play for his 5th year option amount of $10M, he won't play this year, and he sure as hell won't be taking a Franchise tag, let alone 2.

For contract purposes: All bonus money can only be spread out over 5 years or the life of the contract if less than 5 years. It is spread out evenly per year and is very easy to track. Bonus money early in a contract reduces the cap hit for the first year or 2, then it balloons. Steelers also restructure during the ballooning process, changing salary to bonus money and spreading the hit out for a couple more years. Wash rinse repeat.

Watt's $25-28M contract seems high now, but with the new TV contract and the new streaming revenue streams, this cap is going to skyrocket in the next 2 years, and you will start seeing $30+M edge rushers pretty consistently. Get the deal done new while the caps are lowered and we have the space.

 

[Drink IRON City]

If you guys think Watt and Bell are the same situation, I can't see your point of view. Bell was a top RB in an a very replaceable position. Top Edge rushers get PAID period. Watt is the top in his craft on the edge and just led the league in Sacks. He has a Watt work ethic to not only be the best on his team, but the best in the league, and the best all time. You sign this type of player because he does not have a Woodley work ethic. He makes the team better because other teams have to gameplan for him specifically, and they still can't stop him from getting to their QBs.

If Watt is unwilling to play for his 5th year option amount of $10M, he won't play this year, and he sure as hell won't be taking a Franchise tag, let alone 2.

For contract purposes: All bonus money can only be spread out over 5 years or the life of the contract if less than 5 years. It is spread out evenly per year and is very easy to track. Bonus money early in a contract reduces the cap hit for the first year or 2, then it balloons. Steelers also restructure during the ballooning process, changing salary to bonus money and spreading the hit out for a couple more years. Wash rinse repeat.

Watt's $25-28M contract seems high now, but with the new TV contract and the new streaming revenue streams, this cap is going to skyrocket in the next 2 years, and you will start seeing $30+M edge rushers pretty consistently. Get the deal done new while the caps are lowered and we have the space.

Cope your whole post is very accurate. I just high lighted parts that some here seem to forget. The 5th year & franchis tag line is very telling as i SEE it the same way. Not that TJ as shown any indication of problem hold out or cancer player.

I think the STEELERS and TJ's agent are close but have some contract wording (bonus') and 1st year take home pay differences. It will get done and TJ WATT will be a life'R.



Salute the nation

 

[Stryker]

Cope your whole post is very accurate. I just high lighted parts that some here seem to forget. The 5th year & franchis tag line is very telling as i SEE it the same way. Not that TJ as shown any indication of problem hold out or cancer player.

I think the STEELERS and TJ's agent are close but have some contract wording (bonus') and 1st year take home pay differences. It will get done and TJ WATT will be a life'R.



Salute the nation

Agreed and this is the first 'soft holdout' I have ever seen. He's committed to this team. He's showing up everyday, he's just not going to step on the field between the practice whistles until the deal is done. I don't blame him for it, and I think it speaks to his character as being a team first guys, and still being at practices, during contract negotiations. I've never seen this happen in the black and gold before.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Watt's $25-28M contract seems high now, but with the new TV contract and the new streaming revenue streams, this cap is going to skyrocket in the next 2 years, and you will start seeing $30+M edge rushers pretty consistently. Get the deal done new while the caps are lowered and we have the space.

This is exactly it. Teams figure the cap out all of the time and players like Watt do not come around very often.

 

[stillwright]

If you guys think Watt and Bell are the same situation, I can't see your point of view. Bell was a top RB in an a very replaceable position. Top Edge rushers get PAID period. Watt is the top in his craft on the edge and just led the league in Sacks. He has a Watt work ethic to not only be the best on his team, but the best in the league, and the best all time. You sign this type of player because he does not have a Woodley work ethic. He makes the team better because other teams have to gameplan for him specifically, and they still can't stop him from getting to their QBs.

If Watt is unwilling to play for his 5th year option amount of $10M, he won't play this year, and he sure as hell won't be taking a Franchise tag, let alone 2.

For contract purposes: All bonus money can only be spread out over 5 years or the life of the contract if less than 5 years. It is spread out evenly per year and is very easy to track. Bonus money early in a contract reduces the cap hit for the first year or 2, then it balloons. Steelers also restructure during the ballooning process, changing salary to bonus money and spreading the hit out for a couple more years. Wash rinse repeat.

Watt's $25-28M contract seems high now, but with the new TV contract and the new streaming revenue streams, this cap is going to skyrocket in the next 2 years, and you will start seeing $30+M edge rushers pretty consistently. Get the deal done new while the caps are lowered and we have the space.

I didn't say he wouldn't play for his 5th-year option. If he doesn't sign long-term WE WILL BE in the same boat as we were with Bell. We either let him go in FA next season or tag him. If he didn't sign this year long-term I doubt we can ever sign him long-term. Hence ...exactly like the Bell situation. Position has nothing to do with what I am saying.

 

[mightyguru]

I'm thinking now that the sticking point must be the guaranteed money...historically, the Steelers haven't offered a ton of it, but always payout the life of the contract to special players like TJ.