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Will TJ Watt get an extension before the regular season starts?

Discussion in 'Steelers Talk' started by Maddog78, Jul 22, 2021.

  1. Maddog78

    Maddog78 Well-Known Member

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    Ed Bouchette isn't so sure. The Steelers had better not cheap out on TJ.

     
  2. thorn058

    thorn058 Well-Known Member

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    I think that time has passed hasn't it? The Rooney's don't usually do any contract extensions one camp is underway however TJ might be a special case.
     
  3. Vox Ferrum

    Vox Ferrum Well-Known Member

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    I thought it was once the regular season starts. Anyway get it done, the price will only go up.
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
  4. Rel

    Rel Well-Known Member

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    It's when the season starts. They negotiate during camp all the time.
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
  5. Rel

    Rel Well-Known Member

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    I love TJ but 30 million per year is a tough pill to swallow. He's 27 this year and hitting his peak. The franchise tag should not be dismissed as an option for his age 28 season. At least they can see how the salary cap plays out in 2022
     
  6. SteelersFanIrl

    SteelersFanIrl Well-Known Member

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    I love TJ but I completely understand if there is a reluctance from the team side to pay an OLB what is essentially QB money. From a business point of view that’s risky, and us fans are often too emotionally invested to think rationally about these things.

    That said, TJ has been durable and has produced consistently. If they don’t pay him he should hold out and seek a trade. I’m on TJ’s side here. I hope they give him the extension he deserves.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  7. Rel

    Rel Well-Known Member

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    I'm a fan of the team. While I agree that he deserves to be the highest paid LB in the league, the skill and production cannot be denied; I don't want him to pay him at the detriment to the team. If giving him 30+ million per year requires them to take significant downgrades at multiple positions I think they need to take a hard look before committing.

    That being said, if the cap goes up as projected and the Steelers do what they do with bonuses I think they will get it done.
     
  8. Roonatic

    Roonatic Well-Known Member

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    What if he wants to win a SB? He's not a Cowher player after all & Tomlin doesn't belong in the playoffs anymore.
     
    • Hilarious Hilarious x 2
  9. Maddog78

    Maddog78 Well-Known Member

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    Can't believe the support for cheaping out on the best D player in the league while we have a QB on a rookie contract starting in 2022. Whatever they pay TJ will look like a bargain in 2-3 years. Get the deal done.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  10. steelersrule6

    steelersrule6 Well-Known Member

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    I thought Aaron Donald was the best D player in the league :shrug:.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  11. Maddog78

    Maddog78 Well-Known Member

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    [​IMG]
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  12. steelersrule6

    steelersrule6 Well-Known Member

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    I would be hesitant to give TJ $30 million a year, that's franchise QB money.
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
  13. S.T.D

    S.T.D Well-Known Member

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    Holy flipping flip flop.
    I Loved it. Sounds Like I wrote it. Are you on the fence :thumbs_up:
     
  14. S.T.D

    S.T.D Well-Known Member

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    If You do it now then spread it out ....soon the cap goes up , and it's not that much.
     
    • Very Optimistic Very Optimistic x 1
  15. Rel

    Rel Well-Known Member

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    what rookie qb?
     
  16. BURGH43STEL

    BURGH43STEL Well-Known Member

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    I'm not sure if the Steelers want to hand out long term extensions at this time.
     
  17. Wardismvp

    Wardismvp Well-Known Member

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    I think they will. It will be huge, possibly record breaking.
     
  18. Maddog78

    Maddog78 Well-Known Member

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    I'm assuming they draft Ben's replacement next year. That's when you can spend on the rest of the team, when your QB is cheap. If the's The Guy, by the time he gets paid, Watt's contract will be winding down.
     
  19. Steel_Elvis

    Steel_Elvis Staff Member Mod Team

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    Pay the Man
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
  20. mac daddyo

    mac daddyo Well-Known Member

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    trade bait for next year? :cool:
     
    • Disagree Disagree x 1
  21. SteelersFanIrl

    SteelersFanIrl Well-Known Member

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    Could there be a cash flow issues playing in to the ‘difficult negotiations’? Spitballing here but it’s well know the Rooneys are not the wealthiest owners in the NFL and revenue has been decimated over the past 18 months.

    TJ will be looking for $50m - $60m in guarantees id imagine? It’s fine to say spread the money out but you need the guaranteed money in cash on signing and it’s why the Steelers have always shied away from guarantees and looked to guarantee money as they go via restructuring. TJ’s deal will be a hell of a lot of money to tie up in escrow right now with things the way they are.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  22. Wardismvp

    Wardismvp Well-Known Member

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    My friend a much more unaccomplished LB in SF just got a whole lot more. This
    negotiation will be a tough nut to crack, Steelers will need to be creative it is going to be huge
    and then Minka. Yoy and you wonder why I say we will need
    all our resources plus to get into the Sam Howell sweepstakes next year.
     
  23. SteelersFanIrl

    SteelersFanIrl Well-Known Member

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    I’m talking about fully guaranteed money though, not the APY or total contract amount. Fred Warner ‘only’ got $40m guaranteed, I think TJ will get more. My point is that the 49ers (or any team that offers guaranteed money as a matter of course) need to put that money in escrow immediately. Do the Steelers have $50m + to hand? I don’t know that they do or don’t, but that’s a lot of money to tie up in one player. It could be a real headache if funds are tight with Covid having impacted the 2020 season so much.

    That’s why the Raiders traded Mack by all accounts, they simply couldn’t afford to tie up the capital required to re-sign him, when the Bears called with such a huge offer they had to take it.
     
  24. AFan

    AFan Well-Known Member

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    I think they have to give TJ a big contact, and I’m very sure they will.

    But….. there is some risk. When his brother JJ turned 27, he’d had the last of his 3 DPOY seasons and injuries were causing him to miss time. Since his 27th b’day, JJ has started only 48 of 80 games played. Now TJ ain’t JJ, but there’s a good chance that this could turn into a bad deal for the Steelers capwise.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  25. SteelerGlenn

    SteelerGlenn

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    The Steelers don’t have to sign Watt this off-season. They can always slap the franchise tag on him and then negotiate a deal next off-season if need be. That’s not necessarily the route I’m suggesting they go. Just stating that it’s a possibility.
     
    • Like Like x 1

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