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USA Today
8 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Steelers QB predicts one major condition that keeps T.J. Watt in Pittsburgh
Once a Steeler, always a Steeler — right? Former Steelers backup QB Charlie Batch had a different take on the matter in relation to T.J. Watt's future in the Steel City. On the Up & Adams show, Kay Adams asked Batch for his opinion on whether or not Watt will finish his career as a Pittsburgh Steeler — and he argued competing for a Super Bowl could decide it all: "That's tough to say, because I don't know how long he wants to play," Batch said. "Typically, you sign a four-year deal and then let's see what happens later on in his career. He needs to get closer to that Super Bowl, if not winning that Super Bowl, for him to be convinced that he wants to stay here. He wants to be a one-helmet guy — Cam Heyward showed him how that works. But, ultimately, the goal in Pittsburgh is not to win division titles — it's to win a Super Bowl. So, he's going to pay attention to how the roster is made up. … That's the business of football; when you look back, no matter how great you are, there's a strong chance the team that you start with, you're not going to finish with, right?" Year in and year out, as first-round playoff exits pile up, it's become more and more difficult to sell veteran players and free agent acquisitions on why they should take a pay cut to play for Pittsburgh — and Batch hit the nail on the head with Watt, who may be past the point of no return in regards to a hometown discount. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hall of Fame receiver calls out Commanders to pay McLaurin
One of the greatest receivers in NFL history has a message for the Washington Commanders: 'Pay the man.' Calvin Johnson, who played nine NFL seasons with the Detroit Lions, was an absolute physical specimen and beast of a wide receiver (6-5, 237). A few days ago, the Hall of Fame receiver who was inducted in 2021, as a guest on the "Up & Adams" show with Kay Adams, freely vocalized his support of Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin, who is in the middle of a contract dispute. Advertisement 'Pay the man,' Johnson said of McLaurin. 'The man has been nothing but consistent. I don't know Terry very well, but from afar, the guy has been nothing but consistent for that organization. He's been a staple there. He plays well. He steps up in big games. I love watching the kid because he's always making plays. Come on, Magic [Johnson], pay the man!' Johnson knows something about great receiver play. He led the NFL two seasons (2011, 2012) in receiving yardage, once in receptions during a season (2012), and once in receiving touchdowns (2008) and was a 3X 1st Team All-Pro. Yet, he did reveal he is very confused regarding Earvin "Magic" Johnson's role with the Commanders. Johnson is actually only believed to be about a four percent minority owner and in two seasons has yet to be involved in football decisions for the Commanders. Advertisement However, Calvin Johnson is correct about McLaurin having been a very consistent receiver, a consistent leader for the locker room, and has stepped up with big plays in big games, having endured very inconsistent quarterback play from the 2019 through 2023 seasons, until the arrival of QB Jayden Daniels. However, perhaps another word of caution might be in order? I've noticed commentators, players, and the fan base often making comments that reveal those commenting almost invariably assume McLaurin is in the right and the Commanders are in the wrong in this new contract dispute. Yes, McLaurin did, in fact, lead the Commanders in 2024 in receiving targets, receptions, yards receiving, yards per reception, first downs, and touchdowns. Yes, that's all true. Yes, McLaurin has earned a raise, no question. Advertisement Yet, how much is McLaurin asking for in this raise? Might McLaurin's agent be currently unrealistic, asking for far too much? Earning a raise is one thing, but isn't it much too easy for a player, in this case, McLaurin, to focus on what their agent says they deserve? When in reality, the Commanders are thinking about the salary cap for the next three years if they sign McLaurin for the 2026-2028 seasons? Is McLaurin demanding a top-five WR salary? Terry's a good receiver, a very good one. But let's be realistic here. How can anyone think logically and objectively that McLaurin is a top-five NFL receiver? Advertisement Perhaps McLaurin is demanding too many years on the deal, or is there too much guaranteed money he wants? We just don't know any of the actual numbers, so how can we, or why would we form a strong opinion? How much role does having to sign Jayden Daniels to a multi-year deal (in a couple of seasons) worth $60M to $70M play in these current negotiations with McLaurin? So, rather than quickly siding with either party, seeing we do not have any actual numbers at this point, might it not be wiser to wait and see what McLaurin is demanding and what the Commanders have offered? This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Hall of Fame wideout has message for the Commanders
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Insider Reveals Key Reason for Why T.J. Watt is in Contract Dispute with Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt during a game against the New York Giants on Oct. 30, 2024. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt is probably seeking $40 million a year or more, but Ian Rapoport of NFL Network would be surprised if Watt gets a higher APY than Cleveland Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett. 'You know, if they possibly can, they're going to try and to make him the highest-paid edge rusher in the NFL,' Rapoport said. 'Because we are still waiting on some details from these massive deals, it's a little tricky to see where T.J. Watt belongs.' In regard to T.J. Watt skipping mandatory minicamp due to a contract dispute, former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback and Hall of Famer Rod Woodson thinks the Steelers need to change their philosophy on how they structure contracts. He thinks the approach is outdated. Advertisement 'The Steelers, when you have an existing contract, they normally tear it up and redo another contract for you,' Woodson said on Up & Adams with Kay Adams. 'But what I would say to the Steelers is times are changing. When you have a guy like T.J. Watt, you want to keep him happy because not only is he the leader on the field and off the field, but you're showing the rest of the players in the locker room how you treat your best players, especially in the history of the Pittsburgh Steelers. 'He's one of the best players to play at that position in the history of the Steelers. I think you do something a little bit different. Normally, they don't tear those contracts up and redo them, but I think you should really hardly think about it. He should be one of the highest-paid players at his position, if not the highest-paid player at his position.' J.J. Watt stated several times this offseason that the Steelers messed up by not giving his brother an extension sooner. 'Reward your players earlier and reap the benefits in the long run. Dragging it out not only ends up costing more, it creates unnecessary tension. The longer you wait, the higher the price,' J.J. Watt wrote on X in response to a Brett Kollerman post that said dragging stuff out is the worst way to do things. Advertisement Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is not worried about Watt's three-day absence from mandatory minicamp. 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.' 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.' Advertisement 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. '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. Advertisement '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.' This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Insider Reveals Key Reason for Why T.J. Watt is in Contract Dispute with Steelers Related Headlines
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Hall of Fame receiver calls out Commanders to pay McLaurin
Hall of Fame receiver calls out Commanders to pay McLaurin One of the greatest receivers in NFL history has a message for the Washington Commanders: 'Pay the man.' Calvin Johnson, who played nine NFL seasons with the Detroit Lions, was an absolute physical specimen and beast of a wide receiver (6-5, 237). A few days ago, the Hall of Fame receiver who was inducted in 2021, as a guest on the "Up & Adams" show with Kay Adams, freely vocalized his support of Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin, who is in the middle of a contract dispute. 'Pay the man,' Johnson said of McLaurin. 'The man has been nothing but consistent. I don't know Terry very well, but from afar, the guy has been nothing but consistent for that organization. He's been a staple there. He plays well. He steps up in big games. I love watching the kid because he's always making plays. Come on, Magic [Johnson], pay the man!' Johnson knows something about great receiver play. He led the NFL two seasons (2011, 2012) in receiving yardage, once in receptions during a season (2012), and once in receiving touchdowns (2008) and was a 3X 1st Team All-Pro. Yet, he did reveal he is very confused regarding Earvin "Magic" Johnson's role with the Commanders. Johnson is actually only believed to be about a four percent minority owner and in two seasons has yet to be involved in football decisions for the Commanders. However, Calvin Johnson is correct about McLaurin having been a very consistent receiver, a consistent leader for the locker room, and has stepped up with big plays in big games, having endured very inconsistent quarterback play from the 2019 through 2023 seasons, until the arrival of QB Jayden Daniels. However, perhaps another word of caution might be in order? I've noticed commentators, players, and the fan base often making comments that reveal those commenting almost invariably assume McLaurin is in the right and the Commanders are in the wrong in this new contract dispute. Yes, McLaurin did, in fact, lead the Commanders in 2024 in receiving targets, receptions, yards receiving, yards per reception, first downs, and touchdowns. Yes, that's all true. Yes, McLaurin has earned a raise, no question. Yet, how much is McLaurin asking for in this raise? Might McLaurin's agent be currently unrealistic, asking for far too much? Earning a raise is one thing, but isn't it much too easy for a player, in this case, McLaurin, to focus on what their agent says they deserve? When in reality, the Commanders are thinking about the salary cap for the next three years if they sign McLaurin for the 2026-2028 seasons? Is McLaurin demanding a top-five WR salary? Terry's a good receiver, a very good one. But let's be realistic here. How can anyone think logically and objectively that McLaurin is a top-five NFL receiver? Perhaps McLaurin is demanding too many years on the deal, or is there too much guaranteed money he wants? We just don't know any of the actual numbers, so how can we, or why would we form a strong opinion? How much role does having to sign Jayden Daniels to a multi-year deal (in a couple of seasons) worth $60M to $70M play in these current negotiations with McLaurin? So, rather than quickly siding with either party, seeing we do not have any actual numbers at this point, might it not be wiser to wait and see what McLaurin is demanding and what the Commanders have offered?
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Raiders Legend Tim Brown Drops Surprising Player Comparison for Ashton Jeanty
Raiders Legend Tim Brown Drops Surprising Player Comparison for Ashton Jeanty originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Raiders organization has no shortage of legendary players and historic moments to reflect back upon from their days in Oakland and Los Angeles. Advertisement Unfortunately, they have been unable to replicate their previous success in Las Vegas, or in the two decades since they last made an appearance in the Super Bowl. This has largely been due to the team's inability to effectively find talent, especially in the early rounds of the NFL Draft. However, the team picked one of the most surefire prospects in recent memory this season when they chose Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty with the No. 6 overall pick. Former Raiders wide receiver Tim Lee-Imagn Images While Jeanty has been compared to Hall of Fame running backs like LaDainian Tomlinson, Barry Sanders and Marcus Allen, former Raiders wide receiver Tim Brown went a different route. Advertisement He spoke on Tuesday's edition of the Up & Adams show and compared Jeanty to a surprising former Raider. "The guy that he really reminds me of is Napoleon Kaufman," Brown said. "I think Napoleon came into the league very undersized body, or whatever. But I mean, he had the ability to return punts and kicks and do a lot of great things. And his ability to hit a hole and explode was really, really amazing." Kaufman did not have a superb NFL career despite being drafted in the first round by the Raiders in 1995. He contributed just one campaign of over 1,000 rushing yards and played only six NFL seasons before retiring. Given the draft capital that the Silver and Black just invested in Jeanty, him having a similar career to Kaufman would be underwhelming. Advertisement Jeanty was regarded head-and-shoulders above Kaufman as a college prospect, considering he ran for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns last season for Boise State. Under head coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, Jeanty should see a high volume of carries during his rookie season. Barring injury, this workload would all but guarantee him eclipsing Kaufman's 490 rushing yards as a rookie. Brown may be tempering the expectations of Raiders fans, but Jeanty is showing signs of blowing Kaufman's career out of the water. Related: Ashton Jeanty Receives 4-Word Message From Raiders OL Jackson Powers-Johnson Related: Raiders Veteran LB Praises North Carolina Coach Bill Belichick This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
