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Watt is at the facility but not doing contact drills. He is under contract so the fact he isn't participating 100% while under contract he is basically holding out. Cheetos aside.
T.J. Watt in jeopardy of missing Week 1
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I know that, just don't see the point in being overly concerned about something we can't control.
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I know you know that....it is a message board. People are just putting their thoughts out there.
Monkeys like to throw chyt at the wall...
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I think TJ will sign sometime this week. The question then becomes will it be in enough time for him to get the required practices in that Tomlin so strongly emphasizes for him to play Sunday. We will need him in Buffalo especially with Tuitt out.
I know it’s a lot of money and these guys are way overpaid but I cannot blame them one bit if the owners are willing to pay it. TJ is taking advantage of most likely the biggest opportunity of his young life to set himself and his family up for life. Absolutely would do the same thing if I were in his shoes.
He’ll sign this week but the question will it be in time for him to play Sunday.
I know it’s a lot of money and these guys are way overpaid but I cannot blame them one bit if the owners are willing to pay it. TJ is taking advantage of most likely the biggest opportunity of his young life to set himself and his family up for life. Absolutely would do the same thing if I were in his shoes.
He’ll sign this week but the question will it be in time for him to play Sunday.
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1. Watt is going to play and play a lot. Maybe there is more of a rotation, but they're going against an AFC favorite and it'd be dumb to severely limit his snaps.
2. Dale Lolley says he's going to practice whether there is a deal or no deal on Monday.
2. Dale Lolley says he's going to practice whether there is a deal or no deal on Monday.
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I like TJ, but at this point i place most of the blame on him. I'm sure he was offered a good deal, but wants more. He would make enough $$ in just 1 yr to set himself and family up for life. I don't think the owners benefit by paying him less because the Steelers are usually tight against the cap. By being extra greedy it is hurting the team in the long run. A couple extra million could make the difference in being able to resign someone or picking up a good free agent.
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I have no problem with TJ. Took the approach he felt he needed to take. With a week to go he will be practicing despite ongoing negotiations. No hold out. I see no issue....
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I'm the opposite. The Steelers treat the veterans who they sign to multiple deals well, but their method of guaranteed money is becoming outdated and is eventually going to cost them signing star players unless they adapt. I see people worrying about the Steelers paying Fitzpatrck next year. If they won't give Watt the guaranteed dollars he wants do you really think they'll do it for Fitzpatrick? They'll either be trading these guys or franchising them and allowing them to walk.
Watt is rumored to become the highest paid defender in the league and he's earned it. Apparently the Steelers have even agreed to it. It's all about the guaranteed dollars now and unlike the Bell situation, I am 100% on the player's side for this contract.
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The steelers have mostly been able to keep star players in their prime and fielded a competitive team year after year. My point is if Watt is guaranteed 50 million vs 45 million with potential to earn much more I consider that greed. The Steelers are not getting rich by not giving Watt that extra $$. The extra money is going back into other players and allows the team to stay competitive as the steelers are basically against the cap every year. Once you earn so much $$ anything after that is greed to me especially if you are being paid the highest in the league.
In a heartbeat. That kinda of haul could very well net a franchise qb which is infinitely more valuable than any edge player.
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What a bunch of horse hockey. Sick of this.
That sounds great and draft picks always seems to freaking awesome, but then I look at how the deal played out:
Bears received:
Khalil Mack
2020 second-round pick (tight end Cole Kmet at No. 43)
2020 seventh-round pick (offensive lineman Arlington Hambright at No. 226)
Raiders received:
2019 first round (running back Josh Jacobs at No. 24 by Raiders)
2019 sixth round (cornerback Blessuan Austin at No. 196 by Jets)
2020 first round (cornerback Damon Arnette at No. 19 by Raiders)
2020 third round (receiver Bryan Edwards at No. 81 by Raiders)
Would you trade Khalil Mack and Cole Kmet for Josh Jacobs and Damon Arnette? No well in hell would I ever do that.
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Thing is the raiders tend to suck at drafting. As long as the Steelers don't pick CBs they are fine. Now I'm not endorsing trading away TJ Watt but, a couple of 1st round picks are something to seriously think about given that the team will need to invest in franchise QB just around the corner
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Getting a franchise QB is probably the only way a trade would be worthwhile.
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LOL. That is how it worked out in the end. What about the Cowboys trading away Walker for a boatload of picks? Did that pan out for Dallas?
and let's be clear I don't want them to move TJ. He is a special player. And special players only come around so often. But everyone has a price. If you are talking about multiple first rounders AND the two very good free agents you could afford next year at his price. That's a lot. When this whole thing comes around next year with Minkah Fitzpatrick. I will be much more inclined to say move the player.
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Well if the Steelers aren’t going to guarantee Watt money beyond the first year they certainly won’t with Minkah either so the Steelers in theory could have a boatload of first-round picks and be without their best two defensive players while needing a QB, OLB, and FS.
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Tell me again how many points we gave up at home in our last 3 playoff games? Even with our top dogs playing on defense..... I don't think it mattered much if when it really matters our best simply disappear.
TJ Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick are top-10 NFL draft talent. So the Steelers may get two top-10 picks (I doubt it but whatever) and then spend those picks on guys who never played a down in the NFL, hoping they are as good as Minkah Fitzpatrick and TJ Watt.
What could go wrong? I mean, it is unfathomable that a guy who looks like Minkah turns out to be Malik Hooker and the next TJ Watt turns out to be Solomon Thomas.
Yes, trading away established, elite, top-level stars for draft picks and young players with great promise is an excellent blueprint for a franchise.
I mean, look at the Pirates.
Trading Watt means the Steelers will spend several draft picks in the next few years trying to find ... a TJ Watt.
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Again....how did the Cowboys trade pan out? One player doesn't make the franchise....especially an OLBer.
They will not trade Watt.
Well, Derek maybe, but not TJ.
Well, Derek maybe, but not TJ.
You keep harping on one trade. That trade was in 1989, before most of the Steelers players were born.
And do you seriously believe Watt will bring 3 first round picks, 3 second round picks and a third round pick? Get real.
The Mack trade is a better barometer. He brought back two 1st round picks, a 3rd and a 6th where the Bears included a 2nd.
So let's say that trade happens. Steelers now are looking to replace a defensive player of the year in Watt. That is one of the 1st round picks. So they are able to use the other 1st and a 3rd at the expense of a 2nd to improve the team - IF, and that's a huge IF - they get a Watt with a 1st rounder.
Finally, you are hoping the team you deal with is bad so that the 1st round picks are not number 28. The team getting Watt is probably good and looking to capitalize, and adds one of the best defenders in the NFL. So the chances are decent the Steelers get some pick in the 20's.
"But their draft picks are excellent and Watt was picked at 30!" Yep. I get it. And Jarvis Jones was drafted at 17 and Artie Burns at 25 and Terrell Edmunds at 28.
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FWIW, the Raiders inquired about reacquiring Mack from the Bears this offseason.
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LOL.....you mentioned trades don't work. Off the top of my head, I mentioned the Cowboys trade and you skipped mentioning it in your rebuttal. If we can't get Watt signed and a deal like Mack's is offered a few have said we would take it. No one is saying to trade Watt.