Latest news with #AditiKinkhabwala
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
T.J. Watt and Steelers Engage in Ugly Exchange Per Report
T.J. Watt and Steelers Engage in Ugly Exchange Per Report originally appeared on Athlon Sports. How badly are contract talks going between the Pittsburgh Steelers and T.J. Watt? So badly — according to one report — that the two sides have exchanged face-to-face insults regarding which side is "fortunate'' to be associated with the other. Advertisement 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 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. Advertisement "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 of CBS Sports 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 these cornerstone trademark organizations.' Advertisement 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. Related: Steelers Offer Two-Word Response To T.J. Watt Trade Rumor This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Insider: T.J. Watt told Steelers, ‘You're fortunate to have me', in past contract talks
The Steelers' contract talks with T.J. Watt continue to take center stage — but both parties have been down this road before, and one insider believes there's a connection to be made. According to CBS Sports insider Aditi Kinkhabwala, the issues between Watt and Pittsburgh resemble the 2021 contract negotiations — where, apparently, both sides had choice words for one another: Advertisement 'Here's what the disconnect is,' Kinkhabwala said Wednesday on 93.7 The Fan. 'And this is what happened the last time around in these negotiations. T.J. Watt was openly told, 'You're fortunate to be a Steeler.' And his response was, 'You're fortunate to have me.'' Four years ago, both the Steelers and Watt were locked in a contractual stalemate that wouldn't be resolved until days before the regular season began — and many insiders agree a similar situation could take place this season. While it's important for everyone to take these reports and rumors with a grain of salt, if Pittsburgh truly wants to keep Watt, they very well could be forced to make him the highest-paid non-QB in the NFL. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers, T.J. Watt exchanged bold words in past talks, per insider
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL analyst says former Steelers QB Kenny Pickett deserves the benefit of the doubt with Browns
The selection of quarterback Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft might go down as one of the worst picks of former Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert. Sort of a going-away present for the Steelers in Colbert's final draft. Now, in 2025, Pickett is now on his third team in four seasons and is hoping he can get a fresh start with the Cleveland Browns and try to win the starting quarterback job. Meanwhile, most members of the Cleveland media have already requisitioned the Hall of Fame bust for rookie Shedeur Sanders and have no interest in hearing about Pickett. Advertisement But NFL Network reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala says people are being too tough on Pickett. She joined the Ken Carman Show and talked up Pickett and his journey that landed him with the Browns. The Browns currently have longtime veteran Joe Flacco as the starter with Pickett as the No. 2. Then there is a battle between rookies Dillon Gabriel and the aforementioned Sanders. Since most teams only keep three quarterbacks, training camp will help the Browns decide who is the odd man out. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: NFL analyst says former Steelers QB Kenny Pickett deserves the benefit of the doubt with Browns
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steelers' T.J. Watt Not ‘Petty' in Chase for Myles Garrett-Level Contract
Steelers' T.J. Watt Not 'Petty' in Chase for Myles Garrett-Level Contract originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Ever since being drafted in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Pittsburgh Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt has found himself in hot pursuit of that class' No. 1 pick, Myles Garrett. Advertisement The two ended up going sack-for-sack over their first two seasons. The Cleveland Browns star was the first to make an All-Pro team. Watt was named a first-team selection each of the next three years. Watt was the first (and only) of the two to find 20 sacks in a season, the first to win Defensive Player of the Year, and the first to 100 sacks. Yet, the best edge rusher in football resides in Cleveland, and he was recently paid like it. Garrett attempted to muscle his way out of Cleveland in the offseason before being signed to a four-year, $160 million that made him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the sport – until Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase topped him weeks later. Advertisement Now, as Watt enters a contract year and makes his extension requests public, the question comes up … What does Watt want? CBS Sports' Aditi Kinkhabwala is refuting the notion that he wants to top Garrett. She told 93.7 The Fan that Watt "is not that petty" and isn't trying to land more than Garrett. 'I got asked that, too," Kinkhabwala said. "'Oh, is T.J. Watt's whole contract situation being held up by Myles Garrett?' And my response to that is T.J. Watt is not that petty. This is not about, "Oh, I need one penny more than Myles Garrett." Watt this offseason took to Instagram to post a picture of himself giving a peace sign, thrusting Steelers fans into a panic. Pittsburgh is incentivized to keep Watt, a franchise icon, around forever. Watt made comments early in the offseason about wanting to be in Western Pennsylvania forever. Advertisement 'Petty'? Maybe not. But Garrett has set the bar for Watt. It's up to the Steelers to meet it or come close enough to appease their star. The fact that Myles Garrett got $40 million per year sets a bar for T.J. Watt … and for Dallas pass-rusher Micah Parsons, in the same class as a producer and also due an extension. Pittsburgh has some reasons to be hesitant in meeting Garrett's deal. Watt is entering his age-31 season, posted his fewest sacks in a healthy season since 2017 (11.5), and he plays a position that doesn't age well. Given the team's proclivity for the status quo and the edge rusher's immense talent, keeping Watt around – no matter the price – still feels more likely than not. Advertisement But there's nothing 'petty' about pushing toward Garrett's dollars. Related: Steelers Signing 'Filet Mignon' Aaron Rodgers Makes QB Room a 'Meat Market' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
