Watt's Up with T.J.?

[feltdizz]

TJ was reportedly asking for $100 million guaranteed.

is he greedy, selfish and all the other terrible names for wanting all this money?

[Oviedo]

is he greedy, selfish and all the other terrible names for wanting all this money?

Like no one on this board would do the same if they had any talent. This is his one chance to earn generational money for his family. He may not get a shot at a third contract and he has consistently produced.

[steelcurtain44]

Like no one on this board would do the same if they had any talent. This is his one chance to earn generational money for his family. He may not get a shot at a third contract and he has consistently produced.

I guess that doesn't apply to Bell, Brown in the rest? Funny Watts is getting the benefit of the doubt, but those other players were crucified for the same crap.

[papillon]

Like no one on this board would do the same if they had any talent. This is his one chance to earn generational money for his family. He may not get a shot at a third contract and he has consistently produced.

All true, however, the Steeler organization has a business to run and a cap situation to manage, not to mention, the best player to ever lace em up for the Steelers always did his deals within the framework of the organization so there's that as well. I hope the two sides can come to terms but the Steelers should be ready to let him play the final year (or sit, his choice), then tag him twice, again his choice to play or not. If being the "highest" paid defensive player is that important to TJ then the Steelers should let him seek his fame and fortune elsewhere. I am certain that the Steelers are being fair with their offer and are not low balling Watt, hell they were fair to Bell, he opted not to take the deal.

Pappy

[feltdizz]

Like no one on this board would do the same if they had any talent. This is his one chance to earn generational money for his family. He may not get a shot at a third contract and he has consistently produced.

We definitely had some who said they would “honor their current contract” anytime a player wants more money their last year.

Its always interesting when a player holds out for more money while under contract. Usually its pitchforks because the average joe never wants more money at their gig… lol.

I think a few sports writers who predicted this would be done already may also start to turn on Watt.

[Buzz]

First, that's not an unreasonable ask. Bosa signed in 2020 with $102M in "guarantees" and $78M "fully guaranteed". If you're Watt (or Watt's agent), you would certainly want more than last year's best contract.

The Steelers have never guaranteed any money past the first year of the contract. They make up for that by being one of the best, historically, at paying out over the first 3 years of the deal.

Second, trading him at his lowest value is bad asset management IMO. If trading him was something they were thinking of doing, it should have happened last year when he still had one really cheap year left + the fairly cheap 5th year option.

It's not bad asset management if it's the best you can make of a bad situation. Besides, how do you know you won't get some desperate/crazy team to bite on a good deal?

If we really wanted to play hardball, we'd let him play the 5th year option (~$10M), tag him the next year (~$15M), then tag him the year after that (~$15M+20%).

This may well be how it ends up. I'd rather see them trade him than go through another Bell scenario.

And at this point, I think Watt WOULD do a Bell. He's essentially now holding out while under still contract. Guess I'm old-school, but if you're under contract, you need to show up and honor it, even if you're not happy with the terms. He signed that contract, and should have known there was a possibility he might have to play his last year for less than what he's worth. Suck it up and get your ar$$e in the game.

[Buzz]

Like no one on this board would do the same if they had any talent. This is his one chance to earn generational money for his family. He may not get a shot at a third contract and he has consistently produced.

Dang. You're a lot more generous with Watt than you were with Bell.

I should think he'd still be able to come up with some pretty good generational wealth with $50 million in guaranteed money

[Buzz]

All true, however, the Steeler organization has a business to run and a cap situation to manage, not to mention, the best player to ever lace em up for the Steelers always did his deals within the framework of the organization so there's that as well. I hope the two sides can come to terms but the Steelers should be ready to let him play the final year (or sit, his choice), then tag him twice, again his choice to play or not. If being the "highest" paid defensive player is that important to TJ then the Steelers should let him seek his fame and fortune elsewhere. I am certain that the Steelers are being fair with their offer and are not low balling Watt, hell they were fair to Bell, he opted not to take the deal.

Pappy

Big-time $$$$$$$$$$ post

[feltdizz]

I guess that doesn't apply to Bell, Brown in the rest? Funny Watts is getting the benefit of the doubt, but those other players were crucified for the same crap.

People wanted to believe Watt was different because he looks different.

No way he would hold out or maybe even miss the season opener over money.

and its not like Bosa and Mack are bringing SB’s and deep playoff runs to their franchises so I would’ve expected more people to push back once they realized he wanted to be the highest paid defender.

[papillon]

The Steelers have never guaranteed any money past the first year of the contract. They make up for that by being one of the best, historically, at paying out over the first 3 years of the deal.


It's not bad asset management if it's the best you can make of a bad situation. Besides, how do you know you won't get some desperate/crazy team to bite on a good deal?


This may well be how it ends up. I'd rather see them trade him than go through another Bell scenario.

And at this point, I think Watt WOULD do a Bell. He's essentially now holding out while under still contract. Guess I'm old-school, but if you're under contract, you need to show up and honor it, even if you're not happy with the terms. He signed that contract, and should have known there was a possibility he might have to play his last year for less than what he's worth. Suck it up and get your ar$$e in the game.

Amen brother Buzz, you signed it, honor it, the only thing I will say is that high draft picks aren't getting first contract money like they used to. I think Matt Stafford was the last big money contract right out of college at around 50 million, then the NFL instituted the 1st contract limits because rookies were signing deals larger than established players.

Pappy

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

is he greedy, selfish and all the other terrible names for wanting all this money?

No need for the name calling but I do believe that he should honor his current contract and should end his "hold in". I would say the same for any player in the same position. I also repeatedly said that I had no problem with what Bell was doing by not signing because he was not under contract while the tag was unsigned. I had more of an issue with his constant game playing etc. like showing up week 10 as if he was going to sign and then not signing.

[Disco1981]

People wanted to believe Watt was different because he looks different.

No way he would hold out or maybe even miss the season opener over money.

and its not like Bosa and Mack are bringing SB’s and deep playoff runs to their franchises so I would’ve expected more people to push back once they realized he wanted to be the highest paid defender.

" People " ...What people? Name them?

" Different ", Different how? Because he's White?

Please explain

[Disco1981]

People wanted to believe Watt was different because he looks different.

No way he would hold out or maybe even miss the season opener over money.

and its not like Bosa and Mack are bringing SB’s and deep playoff runs to their franchises so I would’ve expected more people to push back once they realized he wanted to be the highest paid defender.

You're the same POS you've always been...Say what you said about a Black person , and here comes the " Whoa is me, I'm Black, I'm Opposed Bull**** "

You truly are a piece of trash...And " people on here dance around your stupid Ass because your Black "

[feltdizz]

Dang. You're a lot more generous with Watt than you were with Bell.

I should think he'd still be able to come up with some pretty good generational wealth with $50 million in guaranteed money

Bell wasn’t under contract. That is what should make the Watt contract hold out worse for those who ripped Bell.

Watt is making 10.5 this year. I know it sucks for him to only make $10.5 mill but he is with a franchise that doesn’t spread out guarantees.

Maybe we change our philosophy but this was always something I worried about when the Bell situation played out.

We are holding onto an old contract structure that works for us but will probably be an issue anytime we have a top 5 player on a second contract.

I don’t blame them for wanting what other players around the league are getting.

[feltdizz]

You're the same POS you've always been...Say what you said about a Black person , and here comes the " Whoa is me, I'm Black, I'm Opposed Bull**** "

You truly are a piece of trash...And " people on here dance around your stupid Ass because your Black "

A hit dog will holler.