THE Pittsburgh Steelers have made their stance on TJ Watt clear.
The 30-year-old superstar wants a new contract with the team.
TJ Watt wants a new contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers[/caption]
Myles Garrett signed a new contract worth $40m a year with the Cleveland Browns this offseason[/caption]
He is entering the last year of his deal which he signed in 2021 worth $112 million over four years.
Watt is paid an average of $28 million a year.
But the market for elite pass rushers reset with Myles Garrett’s new contract this off-season worth $40 million a year.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, multiple teams are considering a trade offer for Watt.
But the Steelers’ preference is to give their star pass rusher a new contract.
Watt missed the team’s minicamp and skipped OTAs this summer.
The 30-year-old was a first round NFL Draft pick by the Steelers in 2017.
He has been one of the best defensive players of his generation.
Watt has 108 career sacks and holds the record for the most in a season with 22.5.
The 30-year-old said recently, “I want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler.
“You guys know that. I don’t want to leave this place.
“I want to be part of the solution. I’ve put so much into it here.”
He was named Defensive Player of the Tear in 2021 and is a seven-time Pro Bowler.
Watt’s future with Pittsburgh is further complicated by the team’s off-season moves.
The team traded for Miami Dolphins defensive back Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith this week.
Minkah Fitzpatrick was sent the other way as part of the mega trade.
Ramsey stands to earn $26.6 million in the 2025 season.
TJ’s older brother JJ was one of the best defensive players in history.
JJ now works as an analyst on CBS and makes regular appearances on The Pat McAfee Show.
He said, “Ownership and front offices obviously treat this like a business.
“But they don’t like it when the players flip the script on them and treat it like a business.”
