Latest news with #Garrett
Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Pittsburgh Steelers make T.J. Watt the NFL's highest-paid defender with a 3-year, $123M extension
PITTSBURGH — T.J. Watt has wanted to be a 'one-helmet guy' from the second he arrived in Pittsburgh eight years ago. The star outside linebacker took one big step toward that goal Thursday, agreeing to a new contract that will make him the league's highest-paid defender and keep the perennial All-Pro in black and gold well into his 30s. Watt, who was entering the final season of the four-year extension he signed in 2021, is scheduled to make $123 million over the course of the three-year agreement, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the contract had not yet been made public. ESPN first reported the extension. Watt appeared to celebrate by making a rare Instagram post on Thursday afternoon, sharing a picture of him flexing in his signature No. 90 jersey. Watt also posted a photo in his Instagram stories of him posing alongside protégé and third-year Steelers outside linebacker Nick Herbig. The agreement's average annual value of $41 million eclipses the previous record contract for a defender set by Cleveland Browns defensive lineman and reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett in March. The annual average salary is also tick above what Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase received when he (briefly) became the league's highest-paid non-quarterback a few days after Garrett agreed to terms with the Browns. The fact Watt's extension is worth 2.5% more per season than Garrett's (whose overall total value of $204 million is still higher than Watt's) is not a coincidence. Watt, the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year and a four-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler, has long believed he is the best edge rusher in the NFL. For the second time in four years, he's being paid like it, though he might not hold the distinction of being the league's highest-paid defender for long. Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons is also due for an extension that — given Parsons' age (26) and the league's ever-rising salary cap — figures to set the bar even higher. Watt, who turns 31 in November, took the unusual step of skipping mandatory minicamp last month in hopes of putting pressure on the Steelers front office to get something done. Coach Mike Tomlin brushed off Watt's absence, saying it was only a matter of time before things worked themselves out. The timing couldn't be better. The new-look Steelers — now led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers — report to training camp at Saint Vincent College on Wednesday. They'll do it with a familiar face in tow. Watt, who tied an NFL record by racking up 22½ sacks in 2021, is the linchpin of a defense that will be relied on heavily if the Steelers want to end a playoff-win drought that stretches to the 2016 AFC championship game, a few months before the Steelers selected Watt with the 30th pick in the 2017 draft. While Watt is putting together a Hall-of-Fame worthy resume, the one thing he is lacking is postseason success. Watt's singular brilliance has helped keep the Steelers competitive during his tenure, they are winless in the postseason with Watt in the lineup, most of them losses in which the defense has struggled. Watt, who has 108 sacks in 121 regular-season games, has just one in four playoff appearances. The Steelers are taking a flyer on 2025 — signing Rodgers and trading for veteran defensive back Jalen Ramsey, among other notable moves — and are intent on trying to find their next franchise quarterback in the 2026 draft, which just so happens to be taking place in Pittsburgh. The lack of star power under center, however, has given the team the financial flexibility to take care of Watt now, hoping he can remain an impact player into his mid-30s in the same way longtime teammate Cam Heyward has done.
San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Myles Garrett voted the NFL's No. 1 edge rusher by the AP
Myles Garrett is a four-time All-Pro, the 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and the only player to register 14 sacks in four straight seasons. His dominant stretch earned him the No. 1 edge rusher spot Thursday in a preseason survey by The Associated Press. A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers ranked the top five players at the position, basing selections on current status entering the 2025 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points. Garrett received five first-place votes, two seconds and one third. Trey Hendrickson got two first-place votes and Micah Parsons received the other. T.J. Watt finished second overall, one point ahead of Parsons. Hendrickson came in fourth and Nick Bosa finished fifth. Nik Bonitto, Aidan Hutchinson, Kyle Van Noy and Maxx Crosby also received votes. 1. MYLES GARRETT, Cleveland Browns Garrett has been a dominant presence for Cleveland's defense over his first eight seasons. He became the youngest player in NFL history to reach 100 sacks last season when he finished with 14. Garrett finished third in voting for Defensive Player of the Year, earned his fourth All-Pro spot and sixth Pro Bowl trip. The Browns made him the highest-paid edge rusher in NFL history, giving him a $160 million, four-year deal. 2. T.J. WATT, Pittsburgh Steelers Watt, the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, was named to his seventh Pro Bowl after registering 11 1/2 sacks, a league-leading six forced fumbles, 27 quarterback hits and 19 tackles for loss. He was a second-team All-Pro after making first team four times. Watt received four second-place votes, three thirds and one fifth. 3. MICAH PARSONS, Dallas Cowboys Despite missing four games, Parsons had 12 sacks in 13 games and earned his fourth straight Pro Bowl trip. The two-time All-Pro has been one of the most dynamic pass rushers in the NFL since the Cowboys selected him 12th overall in 2021. Parsons has at least 12 sacks in each season. He's due to get a new contract that will likely surpass Garrett's. Parsons received two second-place votes, one third and three fourths to go with the one first. 4. TREY HENDRICKSON, Cincinnati Bengals Hendrickson led the NFL with 17 1/2 sacks last season after registering 17 1/2 in 2023. He was a first-team All-Pro and made the Pro Bowl for the fourth straight year. Hendrickson has sought a new contract from the Bengals throughout the offseason. 5. NICK BOSA, San Francisco 49ers Bosa had nine sacks in 14 games last season, earning his fifth Pro Bowl appearance. The 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year has 53 1/2 sacks over the past four seasons. He received one third-place vote, one fourth and two fifths. ___
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Myles Garrett voted the NFL's No. 1 edge rusher by the AP
Myles Garrett is a four-time All-Pro, the 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and the only player to register 14 sacks in four straight seasons. His dominant stretch earned him the No. 1 edge rusher spot Thursday in a preseason survey by The Associated Press. A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers ranked the top five players at the position, basing selections on current status entering the 2025 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points. Garrett received five first-place votes, two seconds and one third. Trey Hendrickson got two first-place votes and Micah Parsons received the other. T.J. Watt finished second overall, one point ahead of Parsons. Hendrickson came in fourth and Nick Bosa finished fifth. Nik Bonitto, Aidan Hutchinson, Kyle Van Noy and Maxx Crosby also received votes. 1. MYLES GARRETT, Cleveland Browns Garrett has been a dominant presence for Cleveland's defense over his first eight seasons. He became the youngest player in NFL history to reach 100 sacks last season when he finished with 14. Garrett finished third in voting for Defensive Player of the Year, earned his fourth All-Pro spot and sixth Pro Bowl trip. The Browns made him the highest-paid edge rusher in NFL history, giving him a $160 million, four-year deal. 2. T.J. WATT, Pittsburgh Steelers Watt, the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, was named to his seventh Pro Bowl after registering 11 1/2 sacks, a league-leading six forced fumbles, 27 quarterback hits and 19 tackles for loss. He was a second-team All-Pro after making first team four times. Watt received four second-place votes, three thirds and one fifth. 3. MICAH PARSONS, Dallas Cowboys Despite missing four games, Parsons had 12 sacks in 13 games and earned his fourth straight Pro Bowl trip. The two-time All-Pro has been one of the most dynamic pass rushers in the NFL since the Cowboys selected him 12th overall in 2021. Parsons has at least 12 sacks in each season. He's due to get a new contract that will likely surpass Garrett's. Parsons received two second-place votes, one third and three fourths to go with the one first. 4. TREY HENDRICKSON, Cincinnati Bengals Hendrickson led the NFL with 17 1/2 sacks last season after registering 17 1/2 in 2023. He was a first-team All-Pro and made the Pro Bowl for the fourth straight year. Hendrickson has sought a new contract from the Bengals throughout the offseason. He got one third-place vote, two fourths and one fifth to go with two firsts. 5. NICK BOSA, San Francisco 49ers Bosa had nine sacks in 14 games last season, earning his fifth Pro Bowl appearance. The 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year has 53 1/2 sacks over the past four seasons. He received one third-place vote, one fourth and two fifths. ___ AP NFL:
Fox Sports
3 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Myles Garrett voted the NFL's No. 1 edge rusher by the AP
Associated Press Myles Garrett is a four-time All-Pro, the 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and the only player to register 14 sacks in four straight seasons. His dominant stretch earned him the No. 1 edge rusher spot Thursday in a preseason survey by The Associated Press. A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers ranked the top five players at the position, basing selections on current status entering the 2025 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points. Garrett received five first-place votes, two seconds and one third. Trey Hendrickson got two first-place votes and Micah Parsons received the other. T.J. Watt finished second overall, one point ahead of Parsons. Hendrickson came in fourth and Nick Bosa finished fifth. Nik Bonitto, Aidan Hutchinson, Kyle Van Noy and Maxx Crosby also received votes. 1. MYLES GARRETT, Cleveland Browns Garrett has been a dominant presence for Cleveland's defense over his first eight seasons. He became the youngest player in NFL history to reach 100 sacks last season when he finished with 14. Garrett finished third in voting for Defensive Player of the Year, earned his fourth All-Pro spot and sixth Pro Bowl trip. The Browns made him the highest-paid edge rusher in NFL history, giving him a $160 million, four-year deal. 2. T.J. WATT, Pittsburgh Steelers Watt, the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, was named to his seventh Pro Bowl after registering 11 1/2 sacks, a league-leading six forced fumbles, 27 quarterback hits and 19 tackles for loss. He was a second-team All-Pro after making first team four times. Watt received four second-place votes, three thirds and one fifth. 3. MICAH PARSONS, Dallas Cowboys Despite missing four games, Parsons had 12 sacks in 13 games and earned his fourth straight Pro Bowl trip. The two-time All-Pro has been one of the most dynamic pass rushers in the NFL since the Cowboys selected him 12th overall in 2021. Parsons has at least 12 sacks in each season. He's due to get a new contract that will likely surpass Garrett's. Parsons received two second-place votes, one third and three fourths to go with the one first. 4. TREY HENDRICKSON, Cincinnati Bengals Hendrickson led the NFL with 17 1/2 sacks last season after registering 17 1/2 in 2023. He was a first-team All-Pro and made the Pro Bowl for the fourth straight year. Hendrickson has sought a new contract from the Bengals throughout the offseason. He got one third-place vote, two fourths and one fifth to go with two firsts. 5. NICK BOSA, San Francisco 49ers Bosa had nine sacks in 14 games last season, earning his fifth Pro Bowl appearance. The 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year has 53 1/2 sacks over the past four seasons. He received one third-place vote, one fourth and two fifths. ___ AP NFL: recommended Item 1 of 3
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Myles Garrett voted the NFL's No. 1 edge rusher by the AP
Myles Garrett is a four-time All-Pro, the 2023 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and the only player to register 14 sacks in four straight seasons. His dominant stretch earned him the No. 1 edge rusher spot Thursday in a preseason survey by The Associated Press. A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers ranked the top five players at the position, basing selections on current status entering the 2025 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points. Garrett received five first-place votes, two seconds and one third. Trey Hendrickson got two first-place votes and Micah Parsons received the other. T.J. Watt finished second overall, one point ahead of Parsons. Hendrickson came in fourth and Nick Bosa finished fifth. Nik Bonitto, Aidan Hutchinson, Kyle Van Noy and Maxx Crosby also received votes. 1. MYLES GARRETT, Cleveland Browns Garrett has been a dominant presence for Cleveland's defense over his first eight seasons. He became the youngest player in NFL history to reach 100 sacks last season when he finished with 14. Garrett finished third in voting for Defensive Player of the Year, earned his fourth All-Pro spot and sixth Pro Bowl trip. The Browns made him the highest-paid edge rusher in NFL history, giving him a $160 million, four-year deal. 2. T.J. WATT, Pittsburgh Steelers Watt, the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, was named to his seventh Pro Bowl after registering 11 1/2 sacks, a league-leading six forced fumbles, 27 quarterback hits and 19 tackles for loss. He was a second-team All-Pro after making first team four times. Watt received four second-place votes, three thirds and one fifth. 3. MICAH PARSONS, Dallas Cowboys Despite missing four games, Parsons had 12 sacks in 13 games and earned his fourth straight Pro Bowl trip. The two-time All-Pro has been one of the most dynamic pass rushers in the NFL since the Cowboys selected him 12th overall in 2021. Parsons has at least 12 sacks in each season. He's due to get a new contract that will likely surpass Garrett's. Parsons received two second-place votes, one third and three fourths to go with the one first. 4. TREY HENDRICKSON, Cincinnati Bengals Hendrickson led the NFL with 17 1/2 sacks last season after registering 17 1/2 in 2023. He was a first-team All-Pro and made the Pro Bowl for the fourth straight year. Hendrickson has sought a new contract from the Bengals throughout the offseason. He got one third-place vote, two fourths and one fifth to go with two firsts. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. 5. NICK BOSA, San Francisco 49ers Bosa had nine sacks in 14 games last season, earning his fifth Pro Bowl appearance. The 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year has 53 1/2 sacks over the past four seasons. He received one third-place vote, one fourth and two fifths. ___ AP NFL:
