How badly are contract talks going between the Pittsburgh Steelers and T.J. Watt?
So badly - according to one report - that they have exchanged face-to-face insults regarding which side is "fortunate'' to be associated with the other.
By now, NFL fans all understand the essentials here.
Watt and the Steelers are at odds over which direction their contract negotiations should go. Does Watt deserve a contract extension? Fine.
At age 31, should the Steelers be happy to break the bank over a long-term contract? Less than fine.
The superstar edge rusher and former NFL Defensive Player of the Year is entering the final season of his deal in 2025 and has been holding out as he seeks an extension from the team. A fair number is certainly over $30 million APY. But Watt's reported demand blows that number out of the water.
During an appearance on the "Rich Eisen Show" on Tuesday, insider Gerry Dulac, who covers the Steelers for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, said Watt wants nothing less than to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
"The stalemate is going to be that T.J. Watt wants to be the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league," Dulac said.
That means Watt is seeking a deal worth over $40 million annually.
Enter another report from a local media person, as in appearing on 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh, NFL insider Aditi Kinkhabwala shared details on an exchange that reportedly took place ... and got ugly.
“T.J. Watt was openly told, ‘You’re fortunate to be a Steeler,’” Kinkhabwala alleged. “And his response was, ‘You’re fortunate to have me.’”
Kinkhabwala continued ...
“The Steelers’ attitude, the Steelers’ mindset ... is that it is such a privilege to be in this uniform, to wear this uniform,” Kinkhabwala said. “That, therefore, you should take a hometown discount just because you get to play for one of those cornerstone we trademark organizations.”
We wonder if Aditi is sort of paraphrasing here. But if this is even close to being literally accurate? It means these two sides presently have more separating them that money.