Steelers need to pay T.J. Watt — but one insider hinted that it isn’t as simple as many believe.
According to Ray Fittipaldo of Post-Gazette, who was recently asked during Tuesday’s Steelers chat if $120 million over three years was enough to keep Watt in the Steel City — this is what he had to say:
“It’s going to be about the guaranteed money. The Steelers likely have to surpass what Garrett got in guarantees for that deal to get done.”
Garrett’s historic four-year, $160 million contract contained $123 million in guarantees — which is likely the magic number Fittipaldo is referencing that the Steelers need to surpass.
A growing portion of the Steelers fan base has argued that trading Watt is the move to make — considering concerns over his age, health, and decline in play last season.
However, Watt is a generational talent — even at 30 years old — and paying him around $127.5 million, with $125 million in guaranteed money, over three years may be the wiser choice.