Analyst says Steelers' DK Metcalf contract could impact T.J. Watt's new deal

USA Today

2 days ago

Analyst says Steelers' DK Metcalf contract could impact T.J. Watt's new deal
DK Metcalf's incredible deal with the Steelers may have lingering implications on contract negotiations with T.J. Watt.
On NBC's Pro Football Talk, long-time NFL analyst Mike Florio discussed with Peter King how Metcalf's historic deal with the Steelers could force Pittsburgh's hand in negotiations with Watt:
'Peter, you mentioned DK Metcalf — when they give him a five-year, $130 million contract, and he's never played for the team before — that's going to embolden [T.J. Watt], who's been a loyal servant since 2017, to say, 'If you're going to give him market value — and he's a stranger to the Steelers — I want market value too.''
This isn't the first time he's argued Watt's case for a major payday, as Florio offered a similar take after Watt was absent for OTAs:
'If DK Metcalf can get that kind of contract with no history of loyal service to the black and gold, T.J. Watt has every right to expect a deal that puts him past Garrett as the highest-paid defensive player in the league.'
Clearly, Florio is emphasizing loyalty as the driving factor for Watt to surpass Garrett's four-year, $160 million extension with Cleveland — but is that enough to justify paying $40 million-plus a year to a 30-year-old veteran, arguably on the tail end of his career?
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