PITTSBURGH --Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith is confident that his elite running mate, T.J. Watt, will land himself a huge new deal.
Highsmith, who is best friends with Watt, says he has regularly communicated with the superstar pass rusher while away from the team at OTAs. While the Steelers and Watt are negotiating a deal, Highsmith is confident it will be done.
“I’ve been catching up with him all offseason. He really wants to be here. I’m very confident they’re going to get a deal done," Highsmith said.
Watt should see his extension coming soon, which could be a mega-extension that equals or tops Myles Garrett’shuge $40 million per year deal with the Cleveland Browns.
Garrett’s $40 million per year already sets a high bar for the Pittsburgh Steelers to meet when it comes to the next extension for Watt. Detroit’s Aidan Hutchinson could top that number, driving the asking price for Watt’s annual gross average and potentially guaranteed money up even more.
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 contract negotiations can sometimes be slightly hairy.