T.J. WATT NEWS

AP source: Steelers, Watt agree to lucrative extension

The Pittsburgh Steelers have made outside linebacker T

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Steelers' T.J. Watt gets his mega-deal, becomes NFL's highest-paid defensive player T.J. Watt's four-year contract extension with the Steelers is worth more than $112 million and makes him the NFL's highest-paid defensive pl...

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • WASHINGTONPOST.COM

Rapoport details T.J. Watt's $112M contract extension with Steelers NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport details linebacker T.J. Watt's $112-million contract extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • NFL.COM

TJ Watt, Steelers Agree On $112 Million Extension, $80 Million Guaranteed TJ Watt and the Steelers have agreed to terms on a four-year, $112 million extension that makes the all-pro outside linebacker the high-paid...

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • OUTKICK.COM

Lands record-setting extension Watt and the Steelers agreed Thursday on a four-year, $112 million contract extension, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact Up until Wednesday, Watt elected not to take part in full practices with the Steelers during training camp or the preseason while he hoped to work out on a long-term deal with the franchise, and the 26-year-old edge rusher will ultimately be rewarded handsomely for his patience. According to Rapoport, Watt's deal includes $80 million guaranteed and averages out at just over $28 million annually, with both figures making him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history. The extension is well-deserved for the star edge rusher, who has accrued 49.5 sacks over 62 career games and finished as the runner-up to the Rams' Aaron Donald in the NFL Defensive Player of the Year balloting in 2020.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Joe Starkey: T.J. Watt blinked, but there's only one way he can really lose Our short national nightmare is over. T.J. Watt returned to Steelers practice Wednesday — without a new contract — and is on track to play.....

SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Should play Sunday Coach Mike Tomlin expects Watt to play in Sunday's game against Buffalo, noting that the pass rusher looked good Wednesday in his return to full practice participation, Joe Rutter...

Impact Watt limited himself to individual drills all summer while seeking a new contract. He doesn't have his deal yet, but Wednesday's return to practice hints at playing Week 1, even if Watt hasn't said as much.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Ben Roethlisberger thinks T.J. Watt should get 'whatever the heck he wants' in new deal PITTSBURGH — Ben Roethlisberger, who has signed a huge contract or two in his 18 years with the Steelers, said he thinks outside linebacker...

SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

T.J. Watt timeline: All that's been said, and not done, with the Steelers' All-Pro linebacker As the Steelers and T.J. Watt approach the regular season, which is often the manufactured deadline for contract extensions the year before...

SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Ben Roethlisberger had some strong things to say on T.J. Watt's Steelers contract negotiation Ben Roethlisberger didn't hold back his thoughts on the T.J. Watt-Steelers contract situation, claiming that Watt should

SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Steelers Are Botching the T.J. Watt Contract Negotiations T.J. Watt is a very good football player, as you may have heard. He had a strong case for winning Defensive Player of the Year last season,...

SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • THEBIGLEAD.COM

Rapoport: Mike Tomlin 'optimistic' T.J. Watt's contract will get done NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is optimistic about LB T.J. Watt's contract situation.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • NFL.COM

Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger supports T.J. Watt in contract negotiations Ben Roethlisberger thinks the Steelers should give T.J. Watt whatever he wants.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2021 • USATODAY.COM

Why T.J. Watt drama might have something to do with J.J. Watt T.J. Watt is inarguably one the NFL's best pass-rushers right now because he had more sacks than anyone last season, his 102 quarterback hit...

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 • OUTKICK.COM

Steelers TJ Watt expected to return to field but continues needless wait for guarantees in extension TJ Watt is reportedly continuing to hold out for guarantees in his contract extension, but the Steelers have shown that's not necessary.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Mike Tomlin 'optimistic' Steelers and T.J. Watt will agree to new contract Coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Watt will be a “full participant” at practice Wednesday when the team returns from an off day.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Return to full practice expected Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said he expects Watt to practice Wednesday in a full capacity, Mark Kaboly of The Athletic reports. Tomlin added that he's optimistic Watt will be a...

Impact Currently set to play under a $10.09 million salary in the fifth and final year of his rookie deal, Watt -- a two-time, first-team All-Pro selection -- understandably wants some longer-term security at a pay rate commensurate with his performance. Though he isn't fully holding out, Watt has only taken part in individual portions of practice so as not to expose himself to an injury that might jeopardize extension talks. Tomlin's comments suggest a new deal for Watt is merely a formality in advance of the season opener, and even if an extension isn't finalized before Week 1, the star edge rusher won't necessarily sit out games. Coming off a 15-sack, 53-tackle campaign, Watt still looks like a rock-solid option in IDP leagues.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Steelers optimistic Watt's status will be resolved by Sunday

Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is optimistic All-Pro outside linebacker T

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Kaboly's Steelers predictions: Ben Roethlisberger has a big year; T.J. Watt sets sack record Rookies Najee Harris and Pat Freiermuth will also have a big year. What else is in store for the Steelers this season?

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

T.J. Watt's status for Steelers opener vs. Bills 'in doubt' amid contract dispute, per report Watt has not held out, but has only worked in individual drills, skipping team portions of practice while remaining in game shape.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Contract dispute continues Watt continues to work exclusively in individual drills at practice while attempting to secure a new contract, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Watt can't holdout in the traditional sense thanks to the updated CBA rules, but he continues to sit out team periods at practice and could make himself unavailable for games should the two sides fail to reach an extension. The 26-year-old hasn't missed a practice to this point, but his game availability will remain heavily in question while he continues to limit his practice participation to individual work.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Steelers News: T.J. Watt Contract Could Impact Availability in Week 1 The current T.J. Watt contract dispute remains unresolved and may impact the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2021 • FANDUEL.COM

Rapoport: T.J. Watt's status 'up in the air' for Week 1 as contract negotiations remain murky NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports Pittsburgh Steelers LB T.J. Watt's status is "up in the air" for Week 1 as contract negotiations re...

SEPTEMBER 6, 2021 • NFL.COM

Watt Watch continues: Steelers LB T.J. Watt remains unsigned, status unchanged Watt has been a “hold-in” since the Steelers started training camp in July and has not participated in any team drills during practice.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2021 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Steelers LB T.J. Watt expected to be at Monday's practice Just because Watt is at practice doesn’t mean he’s playing.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2021 • USATODAY.COM