NFL insider reveals biggest holdup for TJ Watt contract extension with Steelers

TJ Watt is expecting a big pay day when his current contract is extended later this offseason. However, Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers appear to be in the weeds when it comes to the specific terms of a new deal.

Watt, 30, is expected to be the highest-paid pass rusher in the NFL when the deal is done, but what could be holding the Steelers star from putting pen to paper? ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler cited two main causes for the delay.

“It’s guaranteed money, and it’s term length. A lot of the details, they get sticky this time of year, especially as you’re leading up to training camp,” Fowler said during an appearance on SportsCenter on Saturday morning. “I talked to somebody with the team who said, ‘Look, these are complicated deals to do, but we are working on it. We want TJ Watt here.'”

Speculation over whether Pittsburgh could be interested in dealing Watt at some point this offseason. He has spent the first eight seasons of his career with the Steelers as the franchise’s first-round pick in 2017.

“There’s not a lot of traction right now as far as a potential trade, although there would certainly be a lot of interest if the Steelers would tap into that,” Fowler said. “But this is a situation where he’s probably going to be the highest-paid EDGE rusher in the league.

“When this is all said and done, it just depends on when the Steelers can do it. Typically, they like to do their deals either around training camp or leading into Week 1, so this is far from over.”

The Steelers will host their training camp from July 24 through Aug. 12. From there, they’ll kick off the regular season on Sept. 7 on the road against the New York Jets. According to Fowler’s timeline, a deal should be done one way or another.

Watt is entering the final year of his four-year, $112 million deal he signed in 2021. In eight seasons, Watt has tallied 108 sacks — fourth all-time among active players. For his efforts he is a four-time First-Team All-Pro selection and was the 2021 AP Defensive Player of the Year.

Fowler’ previous report that the Steelers want him around the franchise for years and that he wants to be a “Steeler for life” is telling of how eager both parties are regarding Watt’s new contract. For now, it appears the finer details are being worked out before he ultimately re-signs with the team that drafted him.