Given their long-standing policy of not negotiating contracts in-season, the Steelers face a tight deadline as it relates to extending T.J. Watt's contract. The NFL's reigning sack champion, Watt is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Watt is currently slated to make just over $10 million for the 2021 season after the Steelers picked up his fifth-year option last offseason.
With his team 40 days away from kicking off the 2021 regular season in Buffalo, team president Art Rooney II said that the Steelers will try to come to terms with Watt on an extension "by the start of the season." Rooney did not say whether or not contract talks have begun between the two sides.
"I try not to get optimistic or pessimistic," Rooney said, via Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "I've seen these things go so many different ways over the years. We're just going to do our best. Both sides want to get something done, so that is a good thing."
A Pro Bowler each of the last three years, Watt led the NFL with 15 sacks and 23 tackles for loss in 2020 despite not appearing in the Steelers' regular season finale. In 62 career regular season games, the first Wisconsin Badger has 49.5 sacks, 59 tackles for loss, four interceptions, 25 passes defensed, 17 forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries. He came in at No. 6 on CBS Sports NFL senior writer Pete Prisco's annual list of the league's top-100 players.
Watt's current market value is projected at $127.36 million over five years for an average per year salary of nearly $25.47 million per season, according to Spotrac. That would make Watt the league's second highest-paid edge rusher in terms of annual salary, behind Joey Bosa ($27 million) and just ahead of Myles Garrett ($25 million). The totality of the deal would put him behind Khalil Mack and Bosa and ahead of Garrett and Von Miller. Watt's next contract will likely make him the seventh edge rusher to have a contract in excess of $100 million.
Watt would not address his contract status the last time he spoke with local media. He did, however, speak about his desire to remain in Pittsburgh for the foreseeable future.
"I love this team," he said, via Chris Adamski of the Tribune-Review. "I love all of the coaches and the staff here and the players, and I am excited to be here. That's why I am here. ... I love Pittsburgh. Obviously, I would love to be here (long term). But all of those decisions aren't really mine to be made. So I am just here right now trying to get better every day."
"try" - Google News
August 04, 2021 at 02:46AM
https://ift.tt/3s4bplf
Steelers president Art Rooney II says team will try to extend T.J. Watt's contract before Week 1 - CBS Sports
"try" - Google News
https://ift.tt/3b52l6K
Shoes Man Tutorial
Pos News Update
Meme Update
Korean Entertainment News
Japan News Update
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Steelers president Art Rooney II says team will try to extend T.J. Watt's contract before Week 1 - CBS Sports"
Post a Comment