Insider reveals holdup in Pittsburgh Steelers, T.J. Watt contract talks

T.J. Watt sent subtle shockwaves through the NFL with a cryptic social media post late last week. However, are the Pittsburgh Steelers really at risk of losing the former Defensive Player of the Year?

The holdup is money, and that comes on the heels of megadeals for Las Vegas’s Maxx Crosby and Cleveland’s Myles Garrett.

Watt and Garrett have had some words for each other at times over awards and an individual rivalry between two premier pass rushers.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network believes that Watt wants more than Garrett in his next contract. Garrett landed a $40 million per year deal, which could be Watt’s target mark.

"A lot of times these deals happen right before Training Camp and there is time to get a TJ Watt deal done..I wouldn’t be surprised if TJ Watt was shooting for more money than Myles Garrett..I would guess that Micah Parsons is doing the same," Rapoport said on the Pat McAfee Show.

The 30-year-old edge rusher remains one of the NFL’s elites. At the annual league meetings last week, general manager Omar Khan said the team hopes to see Watt finish his career with the Steelers.

“I’m not going to get into the contract numbers, but if you’re referring to T.J. [Watt], I assume, I’ll just say that I’m very hopeful that T.J. will finish his career as a Steeler,” Khan said.

He had just 11.5 sacks this past year and dealt with multiple injuries throughout the season. Following the season, Watt noted he wanted to stay with the Steelers, but in contract negotiations, things can sometimes be slightly hairy.

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