Watt 3/$124M with $108 Guaranteed

[NorthCoast]

Cap is all I care about not Rooney money. In my opinion, fan perspective on cap spending is whether it handcuffs our total cap. I hear we STILL got money to spend so I’m not hating on it.
All those moves make clear we are pushing all the chips in. Amazingly, we are doing it without completely mortgaging the future.

We are trying to pull Ramsesque SB run. I’m all for it.

Then you are not understanding cap management because it is very easy to manipulate to get under it.

NFL teams have (now several) people paid to manage their cap books. They may choose management strategies that are team-friendly early and team-unfriendly late or more balanced. Cap can be easily moved around by a first-year NFL cap manager as much as an experienced one. The point is that it can be managed. The key for me as a negotiator, and an analyst, is always the same: What’s the cash? Year 1? The first three years? The first four years? And on and on. - Andrew Brandt

I would bet Rooney gives Kahn a cash budget for each season. This is what limits who you can sign and for how much. Cap is just a compliance number.
Metcalf's cap hit is only $11M this year (less than <4% of cap) but his cash is $35M. This is real money that Rooney is spending this year.
Watt's deal is costing Rooney $44M this year. Meanwhile his cap is only $24M. Again, cap is easily manipulated for compliance but the cash is what drives the negotiation.

The Steelers in 2025 have a total cash spend $50M over of the cap allowance.

Fans like to talk about cap because it is public and easy to understand. But how often do you say to yourself how are teams with all their talent plus a franchise QB keeping players on a championship team and staying under the cap? Well, here just another way; the Superbowl winning Eagles had a record $390M in void years on contracts. Void years are nothing but cap management.

[feltdizz]

If that were true the Niners could have traded for and sign Pickett for peanuts and have that 265 million they are scheduled to pay Purdy to surround Pickett with even more talent. Yet the folks making that decision paid the man. Wouldn’t such an offensive genius know Purdy could be easily replaced as a product of his system?

This is a silly comparison. Of course they will pay their known quantity who shines in their system.

But I do find it funny that its being made when the 49ers went 6-11 last year and Purdy struggled when the talent around him was more like what we have in Pittsburgh.

When Trent misses games, Purdy looks like hot garbage. When a weapon or 2 go down.. he looks like hot garbage.

Purdy is better than Kenny but Purdy in our offense with our OL and scheme with Canada? Yeah.. no.

[Eich]

If that were true the Niners could have traded for and sign Pickett for peanuts and have that 265 million they are scheduled to pay Purdy to surround Pickett with even more talent. Yet the folks making that decision paid the man. Wouldn’t such an offensive genius know Purdy could be easily replaced as a product of his system?

No. I'm not saying Kenny is as good as Purdy. The 49'ers put together a system and supporting cast to get the best out of a young Purdy.

I'm saying our system and supporting cast was so bad, that a better QB like Purdy wouldn't have done much better. We don't even have a system. We've been holding back or getting the least out of the QB's we've been playing. Then we just play conservative, not-to-lose football on offense in hope that the defense can keep games close.

And I bet if the 49'ers had to play Kenny or Mason or Fields, they would have found ways to get a lot more production out of them than we have.

[feltdizz]

No. I'm not saying Kenny is as good as Purdy. The 49'ers put together a system and supporting cast to get the best out of a young Purdy.

I'm saying our system and supporting cast was so bad, that a better QB like Purdy wouldn't have done much better. We don't even have a system. We've been holding back or getting the least out of the QB's we've been playing. Then we just play conservative, not-to-lose football on offense in hope that the defense can keep games close.

And I bet if the 49'ers had to play Kenny or Mason or Fields, they would have found ways to get a lot more production out of them than we have.

Shanahan is a top 3 play caller but their OL play was bad like ours last year and they stunk it up.

Keep in mind their LT, TE and RB are all ranked as top 5 talents in the NFL in 2024 and the WR’s aren’t far behind.

One thing I’ve noticed is when they play well some folks say its because of Purdy and not the talent around him but as soon as he struggles its because the talent around him is injured.

[hawaiiansteel]

Steelers re-sign DE/OLB T.J. Watt (3 years, $123 million): A Grade

Some players who receive huge contracts aren’t ranked atop their position. Trey Smith is a recent example, though Smith is still young and could reach that distinction in a couple of years. Conversely, T.J. Watt is definitely one of the best players at his position. Some could even argue that he’s the best defensive player in the NFL. Thus, it makes sense for him to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, thanks to his new 3-year, $123 million contract.

Watt is a dominant player whose presence directly correlates to Pittsburgh’s success. Whenever he’s out with an injury, the Steeler defense suffers, and the team struggles to win. It was wise for Pittsburgh to lock up Watt, even at this price. The one downside is that Watt turns 31 in October, but he should still play at an All-Pro level over the next couple of years.

https://walterfootball.com/freeagentsigninggrades.php

[NorthCoast]

Steelers re-sign DE/OLB T.J. Watt (3 years, $123 million): A Grade

Some players who receive huge contracts aren’t ranked atop their position. Trey Smith is a recent example, though Smith is still young and could reach that distinction in a couple of years. Conversely, T.J. Watt is definitely one of the best players at his position. Some could even argue that he’s the best defensive player in the NFL. Thus, it makes sense for him to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, thanks to his new 3-year, $123 million contract.

Watt is a dominant player whose presence directly correlates to Pittsburgh’s success. Whenever he’s out with an injury, the Steeler defense suffers, and the team struggles to win. It was wise for Pittsburgh to lock up Watt, even at this price. The one downside is that Watt turns 31 in October, but he should still play at an All-Pro level over the next couple of years.

https://walterfootball.com/freeagentsigninggrades.php

There was a write-up that suggested the Steelers wanted only a two year deal but Watt balked. Wonder if the Steelers were trying to minimize the risk of a steep decline?

[Buzz]

There was a write-up that suggested the Steelers wanted only a two year deal but Watt balked. Wonder if the Steelers were trying to minimize the risk of a steep decline?

Probably, as well they should have.

I'd have preferred that they played hardball and, if he balked, trade him for the best draft pick we could get prior to the start of the season. Hopefully, it will prove out that team management was right and I was wrong.

[Northern_Blitz]

There was a write-up that suggested the Steelers wanted only a two year deal but Watt balked. Wonder if the Steelers were trying to minimize the risk of a steep decline?

I don't what the logic would be here. The team probably (1) a 5 year term with (2) as little guaranteed money as possible.

I would believe this if the story was that we only wanted to give 2 years of guarantees. But 2 year deals with big signing bonuses don't seem very team friendly.

Maybe Watt was adamant on getting 3 years guaranteed and the team offered a two year only deal? That would probably be attractive to the player because it's fully guaranteed and they get back on the market before they decline for another big contract (in the best case scenario)?

[hackjam]

I don't what the logic would be here. The team probably (1) a 5 year term with (2) as little guaranteed money as possible.

I would believe this if the story was that we only wanted to give 2 years of guarantees. But 2 year deals with big signing bonuses don't seem very team friendly.

Maybe Watt was adamant on getting 3 years guaranteed and the team offered a two year only deal? That would probably be attractive to the player because it's fully guaranteed and they get back on the market before they decline for another big contract (in the best case scenario)?

Wonder if the article was talking about a 2 yr vs 3 year extension, or a 2 yr deal overall (so a 1 yr extension). The deal as written is effectively a 2 yr extension with a team option for 2028. And to your point, that last year let them defer the cap impact of $10MM of the signing bonus.

[Northern_Blitz]

Wonder if the article was talking about a 2 yr vs 3 year extension, or a 2 yr deal overall (so a 1 yr extension). The deal as written is effectively a 2 yr extension with a team option for 2028. And to your point, that last year let them defer the cap impact of $10MM of the signing bonus.

This is my understanding too Hackjam.

That 3rd year has a cap hit of $46MM if he plays it. My guess that the cap will appreciate a significant amount between now and then. But you never know how injuries and decline will catch up with players.

[Chucktownsteeler]

There was a write-up that suggested the Steelers wanted only a two year deal but Watt balked. Wonder if the Steelers were trying to minimize the risk of a steep decline?

Probably, but the contract is front-end loaded.

[NorthCoast]

BRING IT TJ, BRING IT!!!! Feel the anger!!

In an upcoming interview on In Depth with Graham Bensinger, Watt is asked what motivates him. And it doesn't take long for him to get to his playoff blemish.

"Trying to be the best," Watt said. "Trying to be the best that I can be. . . And winning a Super Bowl is no doubt motivating me and winning a playoff game is absolutely motivating me. It's something that we haven't been able to do since I've been there.

"I think that's absolutely unacceptable and that is what's attached to my name right now, and I have to answer for that. As much as it sucks, when you say, 'TJ Watt: X, Y, Z,' you also say, 'TJ Watt: Not won a playoff game.'"

[feltdizz]

BRING IT TJ, BRING IT!!!! Feel the anger!!

yeah.. he isn’t lying and its the main reason I’m not a fan of this contract.

We definitely need a playoff win.

[NorthCoast]

yeah.. he isn’t lying and its the main reason I’m not a fan of this contract.

We definitely need a playoff win.

Let's see how often he moves from his favorite spot. This will tell us if he really wants change

[hawaiiansteel]

BRING IT TJ, BRING IT!!!! Feel the anger!!

Mike Tomlin has ruined TJ Watt's legacy.