T.J. Watt in jeopardy of missing Week 1

[ZonaBurgh]

He's seen how the Steelers front office sabotaged what was the best offense in football in 2017 trying to get cheap. They saved money on Bell and sent the run game to dead last in the league. He knows what generational talent is worth, and knows the Steelers have Zero chance of a playoff run without Watt.

I think you have a case of selective memory.

 

[stillwright]

TJ Watt is a game-changer. He can take over a game on D. He's the only one we have that can do that. I know Minkah will want paid and maybe someday Bush might command a big payday (not yet though) but Watt is the only player that can take over a game. That's why he will get the money he wants either from the Steelers or from someone else. Sign him and get him on the practice field today so he can at least get some snaps this week. If you are going to pay one player on D out of Watt, Minkah and Bush, it is a resounding WATT!!!!!! No questions asked.

What game has he ever taken over? I know what games he doesn't....the ******* playoffs. Simply disappears.

 

[stillwright]

He's seen how the Steelers front office sabotaged what was the best offense in football in 2017 trying to get cheap. They saved money on Bell and sent the run game to dead last in the league. He knows what generational talent is worth, and knows the Steelers have Zero chance of a playoff run without Watt.

Zero chance of a playoff run without Watt? Lol

Playoffs are not Watts friend....unfortunately.

 

[Tibs]

 

[TDX27]

What game has he ever taken over? I know what games he doesn't....the ******* playoffs. Simply disappears.

Fumbles, strip sacks, interceptions, sacks, tackles behind the line and many times in the same game. Come on man!

 

[stillwright]

Fumbles, strip sacks, interceptions, sacks, tackles behind the line and many times in the same game. Come on man!

Ahh.....gotcha. Off the top of my head I can't recall one game where we needed a big play on defense and our star player stepped up and made a play. That is ... not for a long long time have I see that. Yes plays are made during a course of a game.....but the truly special ones do it when needed. Watt might have a few of them. I can't remember though. Might be selective memory on my part.

That said ....it is good to see Watt as a FULL go today at practice.

 

[miiike]

I am not jumping into the debate of whether Watt deserves the contract or not. There are too many factors I do not follow closely enough - most notably how the cap works and our current contract terms.
On the discussion of him taking over a game, Watt was AFC defensive player of the month last September during which we won all three games - by 10, 5 and 7 points. In particular, I remember him being key in the Denver game, which is the one for which we only won by 5 points.

Agreed that is nice to read that he was a full participant today.

 

[TDX27]

Ahh.....gotcha. Off the top of my head I can't recall one game where we needed a big play on defense and our star player stepped up and made a play. That is ... not for a long long time have I see that. Yes plays are made during a course of a game.....but the truly special ones do it when needed. Watt might have a few of them. I can't remember though. Might be selective memory on my part.

That said ....it is good to see Watt as a FULL go today at practice.

And he has. Just because I can't name a specific instance is ludicrous to then say he isn't a generational talent or looking like a surefire HOFer if he does what he has been for a few more years. Everyone out there knows how great he is. You build your D around him. If we had to sign one and let one go, you'd keep Watt and let Minkah walk without a second thought.

 

[mightyguru]

 

[bermudasteel]

The defense is going to be RIDICULOUS!!!

 

[steelreeling]

If you're racist you may think that. I'm pretty willing to bet that if Watt tells the other DLinemen that he'll be back by Week 1 and then decides to hold out the ENTIRE season, he's going to be plenty vilified. It hasn't gotten to "Bell Con 1" yet.

If you're honest you may think that's at least part of it.

We shall see if it gets to Bell Con 1 because Watt is under contract.

That said Bell was waaaay more public about the beef than Watt so there's that.

 

[stillwright]

And he has. Just because I can't name a specific instance is ludicrous to then say he isn't a generational talent or looking like a surefire HOFer if he does what he has been for a few more years. Everyone out there knows how great he is. You build your qD around him. If we had to sign one and let one go, you'd keep Watt and let Minkah walk without a second thought.

Yep. He is an awesome player....at what cost though. QB money? Meh. In the end, they probably will. I just think it is the wrong decision. No one can question his ability, but we can question his cost. I would get thre more years from him and move on. Fifth-year option and two tags. Then move on.

 

[steelreeling]

The defense is going to be RIDICULOUS!!!

This is great to see. Watt looks like he's gonna go along with the program and not Bell his season.

 

[steelreeling]

Not really, there are a couple of differences.

1. Bell had no intention of playing that year. He wasn't in camp, he was in strip clubs and riding jet skis. I've said many times before that he knew he was injured a lot and didn't want to get hurt in his FA year. He and his agent found a loophole in the rules and he simply sat out, which I think was the plan all along. I refer you to former Steeler Mike Wallace about ten years ago who played like **** in his FA year because he was playing with one goal in mind which was to not get hurt and jeapordize a big FA contract. Mike wasn't taking any chances and putting himself out there for nobody and and if that pass sailed past him, well that's just the breaks.

2. Watt is at least in camp so it appears he intends to play. Watt IS under contract and it's time he gets his butt on the field.

All very good points.

 

[stillwright]

If you're honest you may think that's at least part of it.

We shall see if it gets to Bell Con 1 because Watt is under contract.

That said Bell was waaaay more public about the beef than Watt so there's that.

Bell's ordeal was a two year process. Both Tagged years. If the extension doesn't happen this year let's wait and see how Watt feels about the Tag.

 

[SteelerFan448]

Yep. He is an awesome player....at what cost though. QB money? Meh. In the end, they probably will. I just think it is the wrong decision. No one can question his ability, but we can question his cost. I would get thre more years from him and move on. Fifth-year option and two tags. Then move on.

Top QBs are now starting to make between $40-45 million. Watt is looking at probably $28-29 million. Nowhere near QB money.

 

[stillwright]

Top QBs are now starting to make between $40-45 million. Watt is looking at probably $28-29 million. Nowhere near QB money.

No one stated he was getting top QB money. How many top QB's are getting $40-45 mill a season? Three? A bunch in the $30 mill range then?

Rank	Player	Average annual value
1	Patrick Mahomes	$45 million
2	Josh Allen	$43 million
3	Dak Prescott	$40 million
4	Deshaun Watson	$39 milllion
5	Russell Wilson	$35 million
T-6	Aaron Rodgers	$33.5 million
T-6	Jared Goff	$33.5 million
8	Kirk Cousins	$33 million
9	Carson Wentz	$32 million
10	Matt Ryan	$30 million

​

 

[Steelworth]

I think you have a case of selective memory.

I think he may have a case of mental irregularity.

 

[SteelerFan448]

No one stated he was getting top QB money. How many top QB's are getting $40-45 mill a season? Three? A bunch in the $30 mill range then?

Rank	Player	Average annual value
1	Patrick Mahomes	$45 million
2	Josh Allen	$43 million
3	Dak Prescott	$40 million
4	Deshaun Watson	$39 milllion
5	Russell Wilson	$35 million
T-6	Aaron Rodgers	$33.5 million
T-6	Jared Goff	$33.5 million
8	Kirk Cousins	$33 million
9	Carson Wentz	$32 million
10	Matt Ryan	$30 million

​

That's where QB money is heading. Lamar will be over $40 million per year. Baker is going to be closer to $40 million than $30 million. The "next guy" is almost always the highest paid, especially at premium positions and these price tags will keep inflating. Based on all reports, the Steelers don't even seem to have a problem giving Watt around $30 million per year, but rather the guarantees.

 

[stillwright]

That's where QB money is heading. Lamar will be over $40 million per year. Baker is going to be closer to $40 million than $30 million. The "next guy" is almost always the highest paid, especially at premium positions and these price tags will keep inflating. Based on all reports, the Steelers don't even seem to have a problem giving Watt around $30 million per year, but rather the guarantees.

So as of now $30 mill is QB money but is headed toward $40 mill plus. Gotcha

 

[madinsomniac]

That's where QB money is heading. Lamar will be over $40 million per year. Baker is going to be closer to $40 million than $30 million. The "next guy" is almost always the highest paid, especially at premium positions and these price tags will keep inflating. Based on all reports, the Steelers don't even seem to have a problem giving Watt around $30 million per year, but rather the guarantees.

My gosh i swear i will dance for joy if Jackson gets a 40 million plus deal for 5 or 6 years with oodles of guaranteed money… lol when those wheels wear down he won’t be worth a quarter of that…

 

[SteelerFan448]

So as of now $30 mill is QB money but is headed toward $40 mill plus. Gotcha

And edge rusher money is pushing up toward $30 million. It's the market now. In 5 years, $30 million will look like a bargain for edge defenders just like $30 million for a good QB is basically a bargain now.

 

[Steelworth]

And edge rusher money is pushing up toward $30 million. It's the market now. In 5 years, $30 million will look like a bargain for edge defenders just like $30 million for a good QB is basically a bargain now.

I know it's crazy how much they make, but yeah, QBs and Edge Rushers are the highest paid in the game. Probably followed by stud WRs.

 

[SteelerFan448]

I know it's crazy how much they make, but yeah, QBs and Edge Rushers are the highest paid in the game. Probably followed by stud WRs.

If you look at franchise tag values it goes QB, DE (which is basically how the Steelers deploy their OLBs now), WR, CB, LB, though OTC has LB ahead of CB for 2022.

 

[stillwright]

And edge rusher money is pushing up toward $30 million. It's the market now. In 5 years, $30 million will look like a bargain for edge defenders just like $30 million for a good QB is basically a bargain now.

Imagine what they will be making in 10 years. Or 20. Super duper bargain by then I would imagine.