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PITTSBURGH – After a contract negotiation that lasted through training camp, the Pittsburgh Steelers and outside linebacker TJ Watt struck a mega-deal on Thursday.
Watt, 26, has agreed to a four-year, $ 112 million extension, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal includes $ 80 million in full guarantees, a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
The average annual value of $ 28 million per season makes Watt the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL. Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa’s five-year extension of $ 135 million signed in 2020 has an average of $ 27 million and $ 102 million guaranteed.
Watt’s deal also overtakes Chicago Bears outside linebacker Khalil Mack, who was previously the highest paid in the role with a six-year, $ 141 million contract signed in 2018. Mack’s deal averages 23 , $ 5 million per year and $ 90 million guaranteed.
As the deadline approached, negotiations kicked off in the first week as the two sides struggled to find common ground on the contract’s guarantees. The Steelers usually only guarantee the signing bonus, but not much else. Watt’s case, however, shattered that mold.
Watt is not the first member of his family to make record money. His older brother JJ Watt, now with the Arizona Cardinals, signed a six-year, $ 100 million extension with the Houston Texans in 2014. JJ’s $ 51.8 million guaranteed and the 16 average , $ 6 million were both records for an NFL defensive player at the time.
Watt was second to Aaron Donald in the Defensive Player of the Year vote after his 15-sack campaign in 2020. He also added one interception and two forced fumbles for a total of 53 tackles.
Watt racked up double-digit sacks every season starting in 2018, going on to register 13, 14.5 and 15 sacks. His two forced fumbles in 2020 were his lowest since recording just one of his rookie season. He had six in 2018 and eight – as well as four fumble recoveries – in 2019. He finished third for defensive player of the year, voting against New England cornerback Stephon Gilmore and linebacker in the ‘Arizona Chandler Jones in 2019.
“TJ is from another planet, to be completely honest with you,” coach Mike Tomlin said during the 2020 season. “He has an incredibly unique talent coupled with work habits and a state of mind. incredibly unique spirit, and that produces what you witness every week, which in my opinion is the quality of Defensive Player of the Year. “
The Steelers parted ways with fellow outside linebacker Bud Dupree in free agency, signaling they were advancing with Watt as the backbone of the defense and planning to sign him to a monster contract. This year, he will anchor the left side of the pass rush and be part of a rotation that includes former Chargers outside linebacker Melvin Ingram and sophomore rusher Alex Highsmith.
The Steelers faced a tight cap in 2020 and 2021 in part because of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s contract, but they restructured his deal and released longtime right guard David DeCastro ahead of camp, freeing up some l space to sign veteran free agents and ink Watt to a megadeal.
After this season, however, the Steelers are expected to find themselves in a very different ceiling situation with Roethlisberger’s contract being canceled after the season. This gave them the space to sign Watt to his deal.
Although he attended every practice, Watt did not fully participate in training camp as both sides negotiated the successful payday. Instead, Watt worked one-on-one with strength and conditioning coaches on the sidelines at Heinz Field during team times.
“Everyone knows TJ,” defensive coordinator Keith Butler said on Aug. 7. “Everyone knows he’s a good teammate. He wants to be there. He really wants to be there, but some things you have to do. It’s a business. We all like to think it is. a game, but when all is said and done, it’s a business. “
Now that the business is settled, Watt is back on the court this week and ready to go to work in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills.
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