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I don't believe this is true. We don't typically "fully guarantee" money outside of year 1, but I believe we do things like injury guarantees outside of year 1.
And we already know that the rules are different for QBs.
And that the Steelers never negotiated with +1 year left on contracts for non-QBs...until they did with Brown. While that particular decision blew up in our faces it shows that even absolutes (except for QBs) aren't set in stone.
Watt will be the face of the franchise next season (along with Minkah probably). They are going to pay him. But we're trying to pay him as little as we can (while he tries to get paid as much as possible). That's what's supposed to happen.
I think this is the worst time to trade him because teams have already used up their cap room. That will limit the market, which will drive the offers down.
The Bell thing was worse because we should have been good that year. We probably won't be a legit contender this year anyway.
I wouldn't go as far as to say that he "signed the contract" he's playing under.
He was drafted. Players have no choice but to sit out at that point. The vast majority of the compensation for rookies is set by the CBA.
We exercised the 5th year option. This is a unilateral decision by the team. Compensation is again set by the CBA.
Watt hasn't negotiated a contract for himself.
Just like Bell. I can understand how players feel taken advantage of in this situation (because unsurprisingly rookies get screwed by a union because they don't get to vote because they aren't in the union yet).
TJ has "shown up" in exactly the way that he is contractually obligated to. If he actually holds out, I think I would have more sympathy for this point of view.Comment
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I always like when people say things like "pay the man" as if we know the set amount of money being requested. What does pay the man really mean in this case? If Watt is seeking a 5 year deal worth $75M ($15M per) with half with half guaranteed, do you pay the man Steelers? Of course you do. But what is the max? $20M per with 75% guaranteed? $30M per with it all guaranteed? $35M? $40M? Where does it stop?
The Steelers have always tried to spend responsibly within their own system and not let the rest of the teams - especially teams that are run poorly - force them into overpaying their players. I still think a deal gets signed, but I hope that the team does not change their entire vision to get it done.Comment
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Every player in the NFL understands (or, should understand) how compensation is handled in the NFL, beginning with your rookie deal and any subsequent deal after that. If you don't like the way its handled, then you have options to secure employment in other industries. Of course, those industries (typically) don't pay 5, 10, 15 or 20 million dollars per annum but they do pay. The other option is to get involved in the CBA negotiations, don't accept the rookie deals, force the NFL to change their labor practice but either way, if you're under contract, you should honor it, change the rules or work elsewhere. Believe it or not, I'm on Watt's side to the point that he should try and maximize his income. I'm not on his side if he is considering not honoring the contract that he willingly entered into whether he had input to the numbers or not, see previous points if he feels slighted by the rookie deal. No one held a gun to his head to sign.
Pappysigpic
The 2025 Pittsburgh Steeler draft
1.21 - Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon - Nick Emmanwori, S, S. Carolina
3.83 - Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa - DJ Giddens, RB, Kans St
3.123 - Will Howard, QB, OSU
4.156 - JJ Pegues, DT, Ole Miss
5.185 - Clay Webb, OG, Jack St
7.229 - Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DT, Georgia
"Football is a physical game, well, it used to be anyways" - Mel BlountComment
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The reason I don't think Watt will miss games on a hold out isn't because he "looks different" (but thanks for the thinly veiled slight
).
For the record, I consistently said that I thought Bell was making a bad decision but that there was nothing morally wrong with what he did. And that it was understandable that he wanted to know what he FMV was (since like Watt he was prevented from negotiating a contract as a UFA).
I think Watt will also be making a very bad decision if he doesn't ultimately sign the "best offer" we give...it will certainly be a monster contract. But he's free to do so, and I don't think he's be morally wrong to make that choice. Although I think he'd be worse on the "moral" side of things than Bell because he does have a contract, even if it's one he wasn't allowed to negotiate freely. That's the CBA and he should take it up with his union rep if he wants.
I don't think Watt will miss games because it will hurt him financially to do so. Not just in lost earnings (like Bell), but also in fines. My understanding is that the CBA changed and there's a pretty large financial penalty involved with houdouts...and I don't think teams are allowed to waive that penalty like they were in the past. I don't think Bell would have been charged this penalty (because he didn't hold out & it was a different CBA). But even if it was, he had already played under the tag for a year. So he at least had one big payday. Watt has only earned money from his rookie deal. Big money for us normies, but chump change for elite NFL players.
Although FWIW, I thought Bell wouldn't miss games either. Because sacrificing a year of massive earnings potential in a very short career seemed like such a bad decision from a life time earnings perspective...but that's not the only important variable I guess.
Watt could be in Bell's situation next year if he takes the risk of playing out his option year. But I don't think that will happen because it seems like a pretty poor decision. We'll see if pride (on both sides) gets in the way of getting this done.Last edited by Northern_Blitz; 09-07-2021, 12:36 PM.Comment
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At today’s weekly pc, Tomlin said he expected Watt to “work” at Wednesday’s practice. He didn’t clarify what “work” meant.Comment
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This is a fail to not have this done by now. Complete fail...5 days before the first game.....Comment
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Why? TP signed his extension just before boarding the flight to Baltimore. Also no one is considering the 17 game schedule. Does anyone really expect Watt would play all 17 this season? The first game might be a write-off for all we know. And what if Watt is asking for more than the Steelers are willing to pay? It's a stalemate, and he goes to FA next season or gets franchised.Comment
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I keep hearing stories of last minute deals. Something like Troys deal was signed before he got on the plane for the first game.
Can’t remember if Troy held out of contact drills tho.
Same with Cam. No idea but are you talking about his second contract or the last extension? I think Covid might have made his situation a but different as far as timeframes. I know they held off for a while due to the unknown.Steelers 27
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