Former Pittsburgh Steelers beat writer Ed Bouchette believes the team should consider a bold idea. Bouchette says that the team should at least consider trading T.J. Watt, especially because he does not believe the team will win soon.
“I’d either let him play out his deal, or, this is blasphemy, I‘d trade him. They were gonna let [Troy] Polamalu go if he didn’t retire,” Bouchette said. “I don’t know,I just think [Watt] has a special place here, but me, I’m gonna be Bill Belichick here. I’m gonna be cutthroat. I’m saying we’re not winning this year, probably not winning next year.”
After Maxx Crobsy’s new contract that came in at $35.5 million per year, it certainly seems like Watt will get that much money and more.
His brother, J.J. Watt, believes the Steelers may have messed this one up, though. While there is little question that T.J. will return to the Steelers and wants to remain with the franchise, J.J. believes Pittsburgh could have had a hometown discount last year. Now, with the rising edge rusher prices this year, that seems to be off the table.
Currently, the future starts at $36 million, though T.J. will try to push that up more. As J.J. mentions, there will be several top edge rushers in line for new contracts, including Micah Parsons, Aidan Hutchinson, Myles Garrett, and the impending trade for Trey Hendrickson. Yet, general manager Omar Khan made it clear that T.J. is someone they want to keep around.
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