Latest news with #DefensivePlayeroftheYearAward
New York Times
17 minutes ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Steelers' T.J. Watt not expected to attend minicamp: Sources
PITTSBURGH — Steelers star edge rusher T.J. Watt, who is entering the final year of his contract and seeking an extension, does not plan to attend mandatory minicamp, league sources said Tuesday. Watt's decision could mark Day 1 of a long staring contest if the negotiations unfold in a manner anywhere similar to his last contract dispute. Advertisement In the summer of 2021, Watt was entering the final year of his contract when he 'held in' during training camp practices at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa., working off to the side while the Steelers competed in team drills. The uncertainty continued through the preseason and into Week 1 practices. The two sides eventually came together on the Thursday before the season opener. Watt signed a four-year extension worth $112 million ($28 million average). At the time, the deal made him the NFL's highest-paid defender and guaranteed him $80 million over the first three seasons — a significant concession from a Steelers team that typically doesn't guarantee money after the first year. The Steelers quickly saw a return on investment from the seven-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro. In the first year of that new contract, Watt led the league with 22 1/2 sacks, tying Michael Strahan for the official single-season record. He also forced five fumbles and recovered three on the way to winning the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year Award. After injuries limited Watt to just 10 games and 5 1/2 sacks in 2022, he returned in 2023 to lead the league with 19 sacks. Last year, he logged 11 1/2 sacks and led the league with six forced fumbles. Signing Watt to another contract extension may not be any easier than it was in 2021. The Cleveland Browns did their division rival no favors when they convinced Myles Garrett to drop his trade request by making him the NFL's highest-paid defender on a four-year, $204.8 million extension ($40 million annually) that includes $123.5 million in guaranteed money. While it's rare for a player to reset the market on his third contract, that's exactly what Garrett did. Considering the 29-year-old Garrett and 30-year-old Watt entered the NFL the same season and are often considered two of the best edge rushers in the league, Garrett's contract is a reasonable comparison. Advertisement Garrett's pay day is also part of a larger trend. As the salary cap has grown, edge rushers in particular have benefited. The highest-paid defensive players are all edge rushers. Behind Garrett, the Texans' Danielle Hunter just signed a one-year, $35.6 million extension, the Raiders' Maxx Crosby makes $35.5 million annually and 49ers edge rusher Nick Bosa makes $34 million. It's also relevant to the negotiations that the Steelers signed 28-year-old wide receiver DK Metcalf to a four-year, $132 million deal ($33 million annually). For what it's worth, the Steelers and their defensive co-captain have both made it known they'd like Watt to continue his career in Pittsburgh. 'I don't want to play for anyone other than Mike (Tomlin),' Watt said after the 2023 season, when speculation swirled about Tomlin's contract status. (Tomlin, who had just wrapped up his seventh consecutive season without a playoff win, eventually signed a deal through 2027 that made him one of the NFL's highest-paid coaches). Likewise, Steelers general manager Omar Khan has on numerous instances made it clear that he hopes that Watt will be what Tomlin likes to call a 'one-helmet' guy. 'T.J. is one of those legacy guys,' Khan said at the NFL Scouting Combine in February. 'I was around Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu. Those guys spent their entire careers with us, and that's a special thing. I'm hopeful and confident that T.J. will be one of those guys.'
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
New York Giants' Dexter Lawrence among stars 'on the radar' for potential new contract
New York Giants' Dexter Lawrence among stars 'on the radar' for potential new contract Star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence is the engine that drives the New York Giants' defense. Though he still has three years remaining on the four-year, $87.5 million contract extension he signed during the 2023 offseason, there's a chance discussions of a new deal may arise sooner rather than later. When looking at the potential big deals coming down the pike, Anthony Holzman-Escareno of included Lawrence as a player who could be on the radar for a new deal following the 2025 campaign. Lawrence is the best interior defensive linemen this side of Chris Jones. Lawrence led the NFL in sacks through the first eight weeks of the 2024 season, despite being double-teamed at the league's highest rate (63.8%). He has three years remaining on his current deal, but if he can put together a dominant 2025 season, Lawrence is the type of building block you make sure to keep around and keep happy. Lawrence was firmly in the discussion for the Defensive Player of the Year Award before he suffered a season-ending elbow injury in Week 12. Per Pro Football Focus, Lawrence recorded 36 total pressures to go along with nine sacks and 16 QB hits. Over the next three seasons, Lawrence carries salary-cap hits of $23.7 million, $26.96 million, and $26.5 million, respectively, per Spotrac. A new deal may seem premature, but an extension could help the Giants free up some future money with Malik Nabers (after 2026) and Kayvon Thibodeaux likely seeking new contracts soon as well. If Lawrence continues to play at this elite level, which is possible for defensive tackles going into their 30s, there is certainly a conversation that will need to be had potentially after the 2025 season.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wins MVP: Thunder star becomes eligible for 5-year, $380 million contract, largest in NBA history
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the 2024-25 NBA MVP. That's going to make him a very rich man. With his first MVP win, Gilgeous-Alexander is now eligible to sign the largest contract in the history of the NBA at five years, $380 million, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks. The one catch is he will have to wait until the 2026 offseason to sign it. That contract, which Gilgeous-Alexander can get no matter what happens next season, would pay him $76 million annually, which would exceed even Shohei Ohtani's average annual value (even counting the Los Angeles Dodgers star's deferral money). Even better, because he split with his agent a few months ago, none of that money will be going to agent fees. The Thunder have also been pretty clear they're ready to give him that contract, despite their small market. Gilgeous-Alexander was already on track to cash in this summer, as his two All-NBA selections made him eligible for a four-year, $293 million extension, which works out to 30% of the salary cap. However, players become eligible for 35% of the salary cap (the supermax) if they enter their eighth or ninth season with either an MVP award in the past three seasons (check) or All-NBA selections or a Defensive Player of the Year Award in either the past season or two of the past three seasons (also check). The player also has to be playing for either the team that drafted him or one that acquired him during his rookie contract (check). So Gilgeous-Alexander only needed to make an All-NBA team, even the third team, to be supermax-eligible next year, but he ended up winning MVP and (you would assume) a third straight All-NBA first-team selection. Gilgeous-Alexander is already under contract for three more seasons, by virtue of his earlier five-year, $172 million extension. Between that contract, the supermax and his original $17 million rookie deal, he will have $576 million in career earnings through the first 14 years of his career. No wonder he was feeling so generous he bought Rolex watches for the entire Thunder team. SGA GOT THE WHOLE TEAM ROLLIES 😮💨 @Jay_MWilliams_ @shaiglalex — Overtime (@overtime) May 21, 2025
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander wins MVP: Thunder star becomes eligible for 5-year, $380 million contract, largest in NBA history
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is reportedly the 2024-25 NBA MVP and about to become a very rich man. With his first MVP win, Gilgeous-Alexander is now eligible to sign the largest contract in the history of the NBA at five years, $380 million, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks. The one catch is he will have to wait until the 2026 offseason to sign it. That contract, which Gilgeous-Alexander can get no matter what happens next season, would pay him $76 million annually, which would exceed even Shohei Ohtani's average annual value (even counting the Los Angeles Dodgers star's deferral money). Even better, because he split with his agent a few months ago, none of that money will be going to agent fees. The Thunder have also been pretty clear they're ready to give him that contract, despite their small market. Gilgeous-Alexander was already on track to cash in this summer, as his two All-NBA selections made him eligible for a four-year, $293 million extension, which works out to 30% of the salary cap. However, players become eligible for 35% of the salary cap (the supermax) if they enter their eighth or ninth season with either an MVP award in the past three seasons (check) or All-NBA selections or a Defensive Player of the Year Award in either the past season or two of the past three seasons (also check). The player also has to be playing for either the team that drafted him or one that acquired him during his rookie contract (check). So Gilgeous-Alexander only needed to make an All-NBA team, even the third team, to be supermax-eligible next year, but he ended up winning MVP and (you would assume) a third straight All-NBA first-team selection. Gilgeous-Alexander is already under contract for three more seasons, by virtue of his earlier five-year, $172 million extension. Between that contract, the supermax and his original $17 million rookie deal, he will have $576 million in career earnings through the first 14 years of his career.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Minnesota Lynx Star Named Most Likely to Win MVP
Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier is undoubtedly one of the best players in the WNBA. She put together one of her best seasons as a pro last season, solidifying her status as a franchise cornerstone. Now, she is getting significant recognition from general managers throughout the league. Advertisement In a survey released by the WNBA, general managers voted Collier as the player most likely to win the 2025 KIA WNBA MVP Award. She received 67% of the votes, finishing ahead of Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson (25%) and Indiana Fever second-year guard Caitlin Clark, who received 8%. Collier's ascension as one of the best players in the league has been one to watch; she finished second in MVP voting last season and earned the Defensive Player of the Year Award. She averaged 20.4 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.4 assists while leading the Lynx to a 30-10 record. In the same survey, she tied with Wilson for the best forward in the league, receiving 33% of the was voted the best defensive player in the WNBA, receiving 33% of the votes while beaten out Wilson and Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas. Advertisement It remains to be seen whether Collier can win the MVP this season. She's clearly shown the ability to elevate her play and has delivered great results for the Lynx. She enters this season as a favorite to win the are considered favorites to win it all, and it's hard not to see why. They boost one of the most talented rosters in the league with Collier, Courtney Williams and Kayla McBride, and should be in contention for a championship.
