Huge contracts for edge rushers complicate things for the Steelers and T.J. Watt

The pressure is on for the Steelers to offer outside linebacker T.J. Watt a historic contract.

Despite so much financial uncertainty in the current pandemic climate, NFL teams are throwing money around without hesitation.

The Browns and Chargers recently doled out historic contracts for their top edge rushers, which could make things complicated for the Steelers and edge T.J. Watt as they approach contract negotiations. Defensive end Myles Garrett got the money train rolling by being the highest-paid defensive end… for all of 13 days. Joey Bosa topped that on July 29. The bar has now been set for what is expected to be an unprecedented contract extension.

Though the Steelers are looking down the barrel of a delicate cap situation (they are currently $18 million in the red for 2021), Watt’s contract doesn’t expire until 2022. There’s no sense of urgency as Watt’s fifth-year option was exercised in April.

If Watt is extended next offseason, Ben Roethlisberger’s hefty pact will be off the books (his current contract expires after the 2021 season), and there will be more wiggle room by the time Watt’s contract balloons in 2022.

Watt is the most central figure of the Steelers defensive future, and there’s no question that a history-making contract is in the works.

Currently, the highest-paid edge rusher is Bears outside linebacker Khalil Mack who signed a six-year contract valued at $141 million ($90 million in guarantees) in 2018. Pittsburgh could make Watt a Steeler for life with a six-year extension, as he’ll be 33 by the time it expires.

Salary-cap info courtesy of Spotrac. 

[vertical-gallery id=472982]

[lawrence-related id=472930]