T. J. Watt, who leads the NFL with 73.5 sacks in the past five seasons, didn’t report to the Steelers’ mandatory minicamp in June as the two sides worked through the negotiations. He is expected to report to the team's training camp in Latrobe, Pa., on Tuesday.
T. J. Watt, who leads the NFL with 73.5 sacks in the past five seasons, didn’t report to the Steelers’ mandatory minicamp in June as the two sides worked through the negotiations. He is expected to report to the team's training camp in Latrobe, Pa., on Tuesday.Terrance Williams/Associated Press
T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to a three-year extension that will make the edge rusher the highest paid non-quarterback in NFL history — again.
Watt agreed to a three-year, $123 million extension with the Steelers on Thursday afternoon, sources told ESPN, ending a contentious, months-long contract negotiation. The deal comes with $108 million fully guaranteed at signing, and the $41 million average per year tops the $40 million average the Browns gave to star edge rusher Myles Garrett earlier this offseason.
Watt, who leads the NFL with 73.5 sacks in the past five seasons, didn’t report to the Steelers’ mandatory minicamp in June as the two sides worked through the negotiations. But with the contract agreed to, Watt will be expected to report to the Steelers’ training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday.
Chiefs WR gets 30 days in jail
Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice was sentenced to 30 days in jail after authorities said he and another speeding driver caused a chain-reaction crash on a Dallas highway last year.
Prosecutors say Rice was driving a leased Lamborghini Urus SUV at 119 miles per hour when he caused the March 2024 wreck. Multiple people were injured.
On Thursday, Rice pleaded guilty to felony charges, including causing serious bodily injury. As part of a plea deal, he also received five years of deferred probation and must pay $115,000 for victims’ medical expenses.
In a statement, Rice apologized for the harm caused and pledged to make amends to those affected, saying he’s had “a lot of sleepless nights thinking about the damages that my actions caused, and I will continue working within my means to make sure that everyone impacted will be made whole.”
Brian McCarthy, the NFL’s vice president of communication, said in a statement, “We have been closely monitoring all developments in the matter which remains under review.”
The Chiefs did not have a comment.
Chargers WR Williams retires
Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams retired from the NFL at age 30. His agent, Tory Dandy, told general manager Joe Ortiz on Wednesday night, hours before the Chargers became the first NFL team to open training camp Thursday.
Williams signed a $6 million, one-year deal in March but was placed on the physically unable to perform list Monday due to an undisclosed injury.
Williams played eight NFL seasons, including stints with the Jets and Steelers, and had 330 career receptions and 32 touchdowns.
“It’s obviously a tough situation,” quarterback Justin Herbert said. “Football, at the end of the day, is a game and there’s more to life than just football and I’m just hoping for the best for him.”
Commanders sign DE Miller
Von Miller is signing with the Commanders, with the NFL’s active sacks leader joining the team roughly a week before training camp opens.
Miller and the team have agreed on a one-year contract, according to a person familiar with the deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday night because the contract had not been announced.
“DC... What’s good?” Miller posted on social media with an automated image of himself in a No. 24 Commanders unform.
The 36-year-old edge rusher felt like he still had more to give after getting released by Buffalo in a salary cap-saving move in March. Injuries derailed his time with the Bills, limiting him to 11, 12 and 13 games each of the past three seasons.
Miller had six sacks last year to reach 129.5 in his professional career, which began with nearly a decade with Denver when he was a three-time Pro Bowl selection. He helped the Broncos win the Super Bowl and was MVP of that game, then won it again in the 2021 season with the Los Angeles Rams.
Eagles’ Braman, 38, dies
Bryan Braman, a key special teams player for the Philadelphia Eagles’ first Super Bowl championship team, has died from a rare and aggressive form of cancer. He was 38.
Braman was diagnosed earlier this year and had multiple surgeries in recent months in an attempt to treat the illness. He died Thursday morning, according to a statement issued by the team.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Bryan Braman,” the team said. “During his four seasons in Philadelphia, Bryan was a loyal teammate, a supporter of the community, and a valuable member of our Super Bowl LII-winning team. More importantly, he was a devoted father who passionately loved his family and everyone around him. We extend our deepest condolences to Bryan’s family and all who are grieving his loss during this difficult time.”