A glimpse into previous T.J. Watt negotiations could offer insight into the challenges of finalizing a contract this summer. Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers were in comparable situations four years ago when Watt aimed for a long-term contract to become the NFL’s highest-paid pass rusher. On Wednesday, CBS Sports reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala joined 93.7 The Fan to provide insights into how tense the situation became.
“Kinkhabwala explained to hosts Andrew Fillipponi and Chris Mueller, ‘This is where the disconnect lies.’” “This is what occurred during the previous round of these negotiations.” T.J. Watt was directly informed, ‘You’re lucky to be a Steeler.’ His reply was, “you’re lucky to have me.”
Maybe Pittsburgh didn’t express it in those exact words, but that’s the message Kinkhabwala conveyed to Watt’s side. After months of negotiations, both parties finalized a deal, culminating in a $112 million extension signed three days prior to the regular season’s commencement. Watt was said to be the driving force behind finalizing the agreement after becoming annoyed with his agents as they tried to extract every cent from the deal. Watt achieved the finest season of his career, matching the NFL sack record and earning Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Kinkhabwala explained the significance of the Steelers’ statement regarding Watt being “fortunate.”
“The mindset of the Steelers, the attitude of the Steelers, and this is evident among many fans as well,” she remarked. “It’s a true honor to don this uniform and helmet, so you ought to accept a local discount simply due to the opportunity to represent one of these flagship franchise organizations.”
Pittsburgh is among the NFL’s most esteemed franchises, boasting six Super Bowl championships and a strong, competitive structure. The Steelers’ 3-4 scheme, in place and largely unchanged since the 1980s, has also allowed Watt to thrive, making it an ideal system match.
Clearly, Watt has made extensive efforts to fully utilize his abilities. Each side gains from the other, and Watt’s importance to the team is clear. Pittsburgh just cannot win without him. Large agreements, such as Watt’s, can become complicated. That’s true not only in Pittsburgh but throughout the NFL. The Baltimore Ravens ventured into uncertainty with QB Lamar Jackson in 2023, even opting to apply the non-exclusive franchise tag on him. An agreement was ultimately reached. The Cincinnati Bengals negotiated repeatedly with WR Ja’Marr Chase before finalizing an offseason agreement in March.
Everything is good if it concludes positively. The most beneficial action for both parties is to refrain from poking each other with reminders of their significance. Diligently working through the specifics of the contract is the route to a consensus, one that is still expected to be finalized before September 7.