Latest news with #NFLDefensivePlayeroftheYear
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Insider Reveals Major Update In T.J. Watt Extension Talks
Insider Reveals Major Update In T.J. Watt Extension Talks originally appeared on Athlon Sports. T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers have yet to come to terms on a contract extension. As a result the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year has held out from the team, missing mandatory minicamp last week. Advertisement The good news? It appears both sides are working amicably to make some progress on this front. Watt's value to the Steelers remains unquestioned and the team wants their homegrown defensive star to stay in the Steel City long term. There are a few obstacles to navigate for the Steelers while working through these negotiations. Myles Garrett's record-setting deal earlier in the offseason has adjusted the price point for Watt and other players like Micah Parsons looking for a similar deal. And in that same vein it creates further complication for the Steelers, competing with another team in accomplishing the same goal. ESPN insider Adam Schefter provided some additional clarity on the situation during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday. Schefter does not believe Watt's deal will match that of Garrett but he will still get his big pay day. "I don't know that he's going to get more than Myles Garrett. I think T.J. Watt's going to get a nice, strong, healthy deal... Advertisement "I can't imagine T.J. Watt wouldn't be there for the start of training camp, that Pittsburgh would not get a deal done... He's seen all the money that's gone around and he wants to make sure he gets rewarded in the appropriate way." Garrett has become the benchmark comparison for the other pass rushers due for extensions this offseason. But as Schefter details the key similarities really end with being star players at the same position. Players like Watt and Parsons will both get significant pay days in the coming weeks or months. However, the age makes a difference. Parsons being four years younger than Garrett and still entering his athletic prime makes him surpassing the Cleveland Browns' star more of a reality. Watt, still worth a hefty price, turns 31 this fall with his peak athletic years likely behind him. Advertisement That does not mean his impact will be felt any less on the field. But it makes for a change in the perspective with regard to these deals. Regardless, it appears Watt and the Steelers are getting on the path toward a deal. Whenever they arrive at their final destination, expect a huge extension for No. 90. Related: Analyst Disputes Theory That Steelers Wanted Justin Fields Related: Steelers Reportedly Extend Safety DeShon Elliott This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Insider Provides Update on T.J. Watt's Contract Dispute with Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt is absent from mandatory minicamp as he's looking for a new contract. He did not attend the two-week voluntary OTAs at all and will now be subject to $104,768 in fines. Watt has not been around the team since cryptically throwing up the deuces on Instagram a few months ago. Despite perception that Watt is not happy with the Steelers, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network does not believe there's bad blood between the two sides. Advertisement 'I don't feel that this one is contentious,' Garafolo said on The Insiders. 'If a player misses mandatory minicamp over the next couple days, you don't have to fine a player. We'll see what the Steelers wind up doing on this one. 'I know that they feel really good about the talks that they've had and the offers that they've made… Mike Tomlin has the belief that T.J. Watt is gonna be just fine working away from the facility, so they're not stressing about that part of it. 'If there was a pressure point right now, and the start of training camp seems like it's a pressure point, I feel like this thing would get done. And it will get done at some point,' Garafolo concluded. Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt during a game against the New York Jets on Oct. 21, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now Adam Schefter of ESPN also said on The Pat McAfee Show that the Steelers are not worried about Watt's absence from mandatory minicamp. Advertisement 'I think the Steelers feel comfortable that they'll be able to work out something with T.J. Watt. … He's making a statement by staying away from mandatory minicamp,' Schefter said. The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year's current deal is set to expire at the end of the 2025 season and is likely looking for one that meets or beats the $40 million per year that the Cleveland Browns gave Myles Garrett earlier this offseason. Watt is deserving of a new deal as the Steelers' best player and heartbeat of the team. The 30-year-old is coming off the least-productive full season of his NFL career but still proved to have plenty of good football left in him while recording 11.5 sacks and a league-leading six forced fumbles. Advertisement Mike Tomlin doesn't seem to think Watt's time in Pittsburgh is even close to coming to an end. 'No,' Tomlin stated when asked if there's concern about Watt's future with the team. Watt's current deal is a four-year, $112 million contract. He is set to earn $21.05 million in salary in 2025, none of which is guaranteed. 'Certainly, we'd like him to be here, but certainly not surprised about where we are,' Tomlin said. 'We've expressed a desire to get the business done. He has as well, and so, we'll continue to work. We've been here before.' Aaron Becker contributed reporting for this story. This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Insider Provides Update on T.J. Watt's Contract Dispute with Steelers Advertisement Related Headlines
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mike Tomlin Downplays Concerns over T.J. Watt's Minicamp Holdout: ‘I'm Optimistic We're Going to Get Things Done'
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is not worried about All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt's three-day absence from mandatory minicamp due to a contract dispute. He's confident that a solution will be reached at some point. When that will be is unknown, however. 'I'm not going to get into speculation there,' Tomlin said. 'You guys know what negotiations is about; I'm optimistic we're going to get things done because we got two sides that want things done. When that's going to occur, I don't know.' Advertisement Tomlin was not surprised that Watt held out from the three mandatory minicamp sessions. 'Certainly, we'd like him to be here, but certainly not surprised about where we are,' Tomlin said. 'We've expressed a desire to get the business done. He has as well, and so, we'll continue to work. We've been here before.' Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt during a game against the New York Giants on Oct. 30, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now Watt has not been around the team since cryptically throwing up the deuces on Instagram a few months ago. Despite perception that Watt is not happy with the Steelers, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network does not believe there's bad blood between the two sides. 'I don't feel that this one is contentious,' Garafolo said on The Insiders. 'If a player misses mandatory minicamp over the next couple days, you don't have to fine a player. We'll see what the Steelers wind up doing on this one. Advertisement 'I know that they feel really good about the talks that they've had and the offers that they've made… Mike Tomlin has the belief that T.J. Watt is gonna be just fine working away from the facility, so they're not stressing about that part of it. 'If there was a pressure point right now, and the start of training camp seems like it's a pressure point, I feel like this thing would get done. And it will get done at some point,' Garafolo concluded. Adam Schefter of ESPN also said on The Pat McAfee Show that the Steelers are not worried about Watt's absence from mandatory minicamp. 'I think the Steelers feel comfortable that they'll be able to work out something with T.J. Watt. … He's making a statement by staying away from mandatory minicamp,' Schefter said. Advertisement The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year's current deal is set to expire at the end of the 2025 season and is likely looking for one that meets or beats the $40 million per year that the Cleveland Browns gave Myles Garrett earlier this offseason. Watt is deserving of a new deal as the Steelers' best player and heartbeat of the team. The 30-year-old is coming off the least-productive full season of his NFL career but still proved to have plenty of good football left in him while recording 11.5 sacks and a league-leading six forced fumbles. Tomlin doesn't seem to think Watt's time in Pittsburgh is even close to coming to an end. 'No,' Tomlin stated when asked if there's concern about Watt's future with the team. Advertisement Watt's current deal is a four-year, $112 million contract. He is set to earn $21.05 million in salary in 2025, none of which is guaranteed. Alan Saunders and Brendan Howe contributed reporting from Pittsburgh. This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Mike Tomlin Downplays Concerns over T.J. Watt's Minicamp Holdout: 'I'm Optimistic We're Going to Get Things Done' Related Headlines
New York Post
14-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Micah Parson's strong message to Cowboys as extension talks linger: ‘Cost them more'
Yesterday's price is not today's price for Micah Parsons. The Cowboys' star and annual NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate told All City DLLS that the contract numbers in the handshake agreement that he and owner Jerry Jones previously reached are going to increase because of the delay in finalizing his extension. 'It's going to cost them more,' Parsons said. 3 Dallas Cowboys' Micah Parsons gestures during practice at NFL football minicamp, Tuesday, June 10, 2025, AP The problem is that pass-rushers T.J. Watt (Steelers) and Trey Hendrickson (Bengals) held out of mandatory minicamp as they seek new contracts. Parsons has seen the terms of the deal that Watt is seeking and it tops what he and Jones discussed, according to All City DLLS. Therefore, Parsons has a new bar to clear. The delay, as Parsons understands it, is in Jones reaching out to agent David Mulugheta to finalize the paperwork. Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase is currently the highest-paid non-quarterback at $40.25 million per year. 3 Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones arrives ahead of an NFL football owners' meeting, Tuesday, May 20, 2025, AP The Cowboys' delayed approach to finalizing extensions last offseason with quarterback Dak Prescott and receiver CeeDee Lamb cost them millions because the top of the market at every position (even running back these days, thanks to Saquon Barkley) only continues to increase with the inflated salary cap. Instead of learning from their negligence, the Cowboys have taken the same tactic with Parsons, who has been extension-eligible since after the 2023 season. 3 Micah Parsons is waiting to get paid. AP Parsons has 52.5 sacks in 63 games and has made the Pro Bowl in each of his four seasons. He participated last week in minicamp and is due $24 million on his fifth-year option. If the extension is not done by the time that the Cowboys report for training camp on July 21, he reportedly will stage a hold-in where he shows up to avoid accumulating daily fines but does not take the field so as to avoid risking injury.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly made ‘significant' T.J. Watt contract offer
As the Pittsburgh Steelers await a decision from Aaron Rodgers on whether or not he'll play for the club in 2025, the team is also working through things with edge rusher T.J. Watt. As the All-Pro defender skips organized team activities with the hopes of landing a new deal, Pittsburgh has reportedly put out an offer. During a recent episode of Kaboly and Mack, Steelers' reporter Mark Kaboly reported that there seems to be a 'pretty significant' contract offer on the table to Watt. 'I'm under the belief that there is a contract offer on the table right now, which is pretty significant.' Mark Kaboly on the Pittsburgh Steelers making a contract offer to T.J. Watt Advertisement Read More: Predicting when rookie QBs make first start, including Steelers' rookie T.J. Watt contract (Spotrac): $30.418 million cap hit in 2025, NFL free agent in 2026 Kaboly was then asked if Pittsburgh's reported proposal was 'Garrett money', reflecting the organization valuing Watt as worthy of becoming the highest-paid edge rusher in NFL history. The Steelers' reporter said he's not '100 percent sure on that', as the offer obviously hadn't been accepted by Watt. The Cleveland Browns made edge rusher Myles Garrett one of the highest-paid NFL players ever with a four-year, $160 million contract extension signed this offseason. Garrett's deal includes a record-breaking $123.5 million in guaranteed money, with $100 million paid out in the first three years of the deal. Related: Insider shares likely cost of T.J. Watt contract extension for Pittsburgh Steelers T.J. Watt stats: 27 QB hits, 19 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries Advertisement Until now, the signs haven't exactly been favorable regarding a potential deal. Watt's brother, J.J., said in March that the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year wouldn't give the team any form of a discount. A month later, Watt made a post on Instagram of himself holding up the peace sign as he walked off the field in a Steelers uniform. He also didn't report to voluntary OTAs this past week. The expectation remains that the two sides will eventually agree on a long-term deal, but it's already been a bit of a rocky process for the Steelers' organization. Watt is a free agent following the 2025 NFL season, but Pittsburgh would have the ability to use the franchise tag to prevent him from reaching NFL free agency. Related: NFL defense rankings 2025, find out where the Pittsburgh Steelers rank
