Latest news with #T.J.Watt
USA Today
an hour ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Insider: Steelers will prioritize T.J. Watt extension, not Minkah Fitzpatrick just yet
Insider: Steelers will prioritize T.J. Watt extension, not Minkah Fitzpatrick just yet T.J. Watt's contract buzz continues to dominate headlines in the Steel City — which has done zero favors for another All-Pro defender's soon-to-expire contract. T.J.'s older brother, J.J. Watt, argued that the Steelers should have gotten the deal done one year earlier to potentially earn a "hometown discount" — and that's exactly what Pittsburgh could do this season with FS Minkah Fitzpatrick, a notion that insider Gerry Dulac quickly shot down. During Wednesday's Steelers chat on the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Dulac was asked if Watt or Fitzpatrick could be extended before the 2025 regular season began — and this was his response: "They will try to extend Watt. Minkah not on that list yet." While Fitzpatrick's splash plays have become quite rare over the past few seasons, he is still more than capable of completely erasing one side of the field in coverage — and the Steelers would be wise to re-sign him before they repeat another Watt mishap. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
T.J. Watt skips Steelers OTAs amid contract extension drama that could shake up Pittsburgh's 2025 season
T.J. Watt skips Steelers OTAs amid contract extension drama that could shake up Pittsburgh's 2025 season (Getty Images) Pittsburgh Steelers superstar T.J. Watt may not have said much about his contract situation, but his absence from the team's recent organized team activities (OTAs) is making headlines for all the right reasons. Watt, who is entering the final year of his current deal, is reminding the league—and especially the Steelers front office—that it's time to talk business. Steelers face uncertainty as T.J. Watt's OTA absence hints at deeper contract standoff with the franchise Back in 2021, T.J. Watt inked a four-year, $112 million extension that, at the time, made him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history with a $28 million average per year. Fast forward to 2025, and that record has been shattered by Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett, whose annual value now crosses the $40 million mark. Watt, a former Defensive Player of the Year and one of the most feared pass-rushers in the game, has every reason to expect a contract that reflects the current market. Although he hasn't publicly addressed the situation, Watt hinted at his dissatisfaction when he posted a cryptic peace sign on social media last month—a gesture often interpreted as a sign-off or farewell. It was a subtle but telling move. T.J.'s older brother, J.J. Watt, recently appeared on The Pat McAfee Show and, while choosing not to speak directly on the situation, dropped some insightful commentary that mirrors the complexities players face in contract negotiations. 'Ownership and front offices obviously treat this like a business,' J.J. said, 'but they do not like it when the players flip the script on them and treat it like a business back. ' That statement couldn't be more relevant to T.J.'s case. NFL teams often justify tough contract calls as strategic decisions, but when players push back or demand what they've earned, they're labeled as selfish or disloyal. It's a double standard that many top-tier players—Watt included—are no longer willing to tolerate. J.J. went on to emphasize the importance of handling extensions early. 'If you take care of things early... do that,' he explained, warning that delays lead to resentment. Using the example of Cincinnati's Trey Hendrickson, who has already voiced his displeasure over his contract situation, J.J. stressed how unresolved negotiations can sour relationships inside locker rooms. 'You kick the can down the road, the can gets a whole lot bigger,' he added. 'Now we got ourselves a garbage pail.' The Steelers are facing a pivotal decision. Last year, Watt showed up for camp while still negotiating, opting for a 'hold-in' strategy to avoid fines while making his stance known. But the market wasn't as inflated then as it is now. With the going rate for elite pass rushers climbing rapidly, delaying an extension for Watt will only increase the eventual price tag. Complicating matters is the team's recent decision to give a market-level deal to a player who hasn't even suited up for Pittsburgh yet. If an outsider can command that level of commitment, there's no justifiable reason to shortchange Watt, a homegrown talent and cornerstone of the defense. T.J. Watt has let his play—and now his silence—do the talking. The Steelers have a golden opportunity to set the tone and take care of their most valuable defender before this can of worms turns into a dumpster fire. Also Read: Despite being a free agent, Von Miller commits to 2025 season but admits Broncos reunion likely off the table Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt absent from OTAs amid contract kerfuffle
Steelers EDGE T.J. Watt absent from OTAs amid contract kerfuffle Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf wasn't the only starter absent from the first day of OTAs on Tuesday. But while Metcalf is just sitting out to get a little extra rest, edge defender T.J. Watt is missing OTAs for a completely different reason. Watt is headed into the final year of his four-year extension worth $112 million he signed back in 2021. Despite a late-season swoon, Watt is still one of the best all-around edge defenders and an elite pass rusher. Watt wants a new contract and a raise and the Steelers want Watt to retire with the team. At this point, it is simply a matter of the two sides finding common ground on a new deal to keep the 30-year-old happy and a Steeler. 2024 was Watt's worst season since his rookie year, if we exclude 2020 when Watt only played in 10 games. Watt has led the NFL in sacks three times, a feat no player has matched, and has one Defensive Player of the Year award on his resume.
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Steelers OLB Alex Highsmith is 'confident' deal gets done with T.J. Watt
Steelers OLB Alex Highsmith is 'confident' deal gets done with T.J. Watt While Aaron Rodgers has been dominating headlines in Pittsburgh over the past few months — the close runner-up would without a doubt be T.J. Watt and his contract situation. Watt set loose a speculation frenzy when he posted a picture on social media of himself seemingly saying 'peace out' — and of course, analysts took this as bad news for the Steelers. On NFL Network's The Insiders, Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport took the opportunity to ask fellow Steelers OLB Alex Highsmith an assortment of hard-hitting questions — one of which was focused on Watt's extension and his future in the Steel City. Here is what Highsmith had to say on the issue at hand: 'I'm confident he's not going anywhere. He loves being in Pittsburgh and the city of Pittsburgh loves him. So I know they're going to do whatever they can to get a deal done.' Insider Ray Fittipaldo explained this past Tuesday that the Steelers would need to surpass the guaranteed money in Myles Garrett's $160 million extension with the Browns — but Highsmith's confidence speaks at volumes louder than any potential financial difficulty that may be coming Pittsburgh's way.
USA Today
21-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Wisconsin football announces date, TV info for 2026 opener vs. Notre Dame at Lambeau Field
Wisconsin football announces date, TV info for 2026 opener vs. Notre Dame at Lambeau Field Wisconsin will open its 2026 football season on Sunday, Sept. 6, against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Initially scheduled for Oct. 3, 2020, the COVID-19-impacted contest is the second of a two-game series. Notre Dame won the first meeting 41-13 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, in 2021. The 2026 meeting between the two teams was originally scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 5. The latest update moved the game back one day, to Sunday of college football's opening weekend. Next season's opener will mark the first time the Badgers, or any other college football program, have suited up for a game at Lambeau Field since Sept. 3, 2016. In that appearance, Wisconsin upset then-No. 5 LSU 16-14 behind dominant efforts from T.J. Watt, Jack Cichy and Corey Clement. The Fighting Irish, captained by head coach Marcus Freeman, are fresh off a College Football Playoff national title loss to Ohio State. While the 2026 squad will look much different, Freeman has the program operating as one of the best in the country. If the Badgers chalk up another 5-7 or 6-6 mark in 2025, the 2026 season opener could become a measuring stick for how the program lines up against the nation's top programs. Wisconsin does square off against Alabama, Ohio State, Oregon and Indiana in 2025, so fans will absorb even more information about the program's trajectory ahead of the bout with Notre Dame. Luke Fickell's program opens the 2025 season against Miami (Ohio) at Camp Randall Stadium on Aug. 25. The program vanquished Western Michigan 28-14 in the 2024 season opener, Buffalo 38-17 in 2023 and Illinois State 38-0 in 2022. The game at Lambeau will likely become the first time UW opens the season against a ranked opponent since 2021, when it fell to Penn State 16-10. The 2026 contest against the Fighting Irish is slated to be televised live by NBC. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
