Insider rejects Steelers' T.J. Watt $40 million deal: 'I hadn't heard that number'

USA Today

15 hours ago

The latest T.J. Watt contract update has been dismissed by insider Ian Rapoport.
On Friday's episode of The Pat McAfee Show, Rapoport was asked to speak to the legitimacy of insider James Palmer's report that Watt was expected to earn more than Myles Garrett's $40 million per year — and this was his response:
"I have not heard that," Rapoport said. "If he gets more than Myles, I would say that is awesome for T.J. These are the guys you pay. He's great. He's a good guy, he is a face of that franchise, and like, these are the kinds of guys who should be paid all the money and should retire as a member of the Steelers. ... I still think it's going to work out, but I hadn't heard that number and I hadn't heard that anything is imminent."
Garrett can breathe a sigh of relief, as Rapoport's comments somewhat instill confidence that the Browns superstar will remain the highest-paid defender.
It's worth noting that these updates are entirely speculative until Watt puts pen to paper — and hopefully that happens sooner than later, so both parties can put this situation to bed.
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