Latest news with #JamesPalmer
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
‘I Haven't Heard That' Says NFL Insider of Steelers' T.J. Watt Rumor
'I Haven't Heard That' Says NFL Insider of Steelers' T.J. Watt Rumor originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Most of us can agree that somehow, some way, the Pittsburgh Steelers will soon make edge rusher T.J. Watt one of the highest-paid defenders in the NFL - again. Advertisement How much will Watt get? What about years and guarantees? What about where he will end up ranking amid the highest-paid guys in the game... and in the history of the game? Thats where we don't all agree. Bleacher Report's James Palmer is reporting that the Watt number could be at the very all-time top, up and over the Cleveland Browns' recent deal with Myles Garrett. Color us skeptical... but let's hear out Palmer... 'I'm hearing there's a chance Watt gets past $40 (million APY), which is something we're really keeping an eye on, right? That if he gets that $40 million per year at the age that he is at. ' Palmer said on his NFL Insider Notebook. 'He has every right to ask for it. I've talked on here a lot about the comparisons between him and Myles Garrett. The numbers are almost identical in every aspect in terms of superlatives and in terms of numbers, and they came in the same draft class. Advertisement 'He has the right to try to get that. We'll see.' Whoa. Our response? With all due respect to the plugged-in Palmer, this take sounds like it comes from someone who just got off the phone with T.J. and his agent. It kinda comes out of the blue. Watt is presently entering the final season of his $112 million extension signed just ahead of the 2021 NFL year. At the time, the deal made Watt the highest-paid NFL defender. On that extension, the edge rusher has received an average annual salary of $28 million. But other defenders have blown past that historic deal over the past four years. Garrett signed a four-year, $160 million extension with the Browns this offseason. Advertisement Meshing with our take is 'Rap Sheet's' similar response to Palmer's report. During his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network was asked about the $40 million rumor. 'I still believe it's gonna work out. But I hadn't heard that number,' Rapoport said. 'And I hadn't heard that anything is imminent.' Rapoport is being polite here. 'I hadn't heard that number' is a nice way of saying… 'That's not the number.' So we will stick with 'out of the blue' view while hoping that Watt and the Steelers forge a deal in time for training camp. Related: Bills Trade For T.J. Watt Rumor Includes 2 Massive Details This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Insider rejects Steelers' T.J. Watt $40 million deal: 'I hadn't heard that number'
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: Advertisement "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. 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 $40 million update shot down by insider
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steelers, T.J. Watt receive contract update — and it could be bad news for Myles Garrett
T.J. Watt may soon become the NFL's highest-paid defender — at least that's what insider James Palmer is hearing. On Wednesday, Palmer provided an update on Watt's contract negotiations with the Steelers — and it could spell bad news for Myles Garrett's historic four-year, $160 million deal (courtesy of Bleacher Report): Advertisement "I'm hearing there's a chance Watt gets past [$40 million]," Palmer said. "Which is something we're really keeping an eye on, right? If he gets that $40 million a year, at the age he is at, he has every right to ask for it. I've talked on here a lot about the comparison between him and Myles Garrett. The numbers are almost identical in every aspect. … [Watt] has the right to try and get that." It's been speculated that Watt is seeking to surpass Garrett's guaranteed money of $123.5 million, but if the Steelers defender can usurp the throne for highest-paid defender as well, it's just another feather in his cap over the Browns defensive end. 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 could surpass Myles Garrett's $40 mil, per insider
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
T.J. Watt Signing $100 Million Guarantee With Pittsburgh Steelers Debated
T.J. Watt Signing $100 Million Guarantee With Pittsburgh Steelers Debated originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Pittsburgh Steelers' financial jousting with edge rusher T.J. Watt doesn't have to be about Myles Garrett's contract from yesterday or about Micah Parsons' contract tomorrow. Advertisement So the idea that the future Hall of Famer Watt doesn't want to be "petty'' here rings true. But so does the number ... $100 million. This offseason, the Cleveland Browns edge rusher Garrett re-set the market with a $160 million deal. In the coming weeks, Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Parsons figures to re-set it again. Does that mean Watt, approaching age 31, gets $40 million per year in a long-term deal? Said James Palmer via Bleacher Report. "Do you give $100 million guaranteed to somebody like that? I think that's where this battle's going to happen ...'' What's notable here is that $123.6 million of Garrett's deal is guaranteed. Advertisement What's key to the Steelers' argument here is that Watt declined as a producer in 2024. ... though obviously the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year has created for himself a very high bar. Some believe this new deal is destined to approach that now-magical $40 million per year mark, which leads to the debate about whether the Steelers should ... a) Pay Watt for the great things he's already done, of ... b) Pay Watt in anticipation of what he will accomplish in the future? We say a deal is likely going to get done. But we also say that in the end, it's the guaranteed money that will be the tipping point as to when it gets done. Advertisement Related: Steelers' T.J. Watt Not 'Petty' in Chase for Myles Garrett-Level Contract Related: AFC North Rival Sets Bar for Watt Extension This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Analyst Thinks T.J. Watt Contract Issues Aren't Financial for Steelers
Analyst Thinks T.J. Watt Contract Issues Aren't Financial for Steelers originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Pittsburgh Steelers star pass rusher T.J. Watt has made news this offseason, but for the wrong reason. Advertisement Watt will enter the final season of his four-year, $112.011 million deal in 2025, and extension talks have reportedly not gone well when they've happened at all. Since joining the league in 2017, he's averaging 15.2 sacks per season, 65 tackles with 32 tackles for loss and 32 QB hits. Again, those are all averages. Per season. And he's due a huge payday because of those numbers. But Watt will turn 31 in mid-October, and it's possible Pittsburgh is leery of paying someone that age $40-plus million per season, which is what someone with Watt's numbers demands. Or is there another issue? Bleacher Report's James Palmer thinks there might be a performance issue at play here for the team. Advertisement "The issue with this is a big swing with Aaron Rodgers. They know how important the defense is gonna be, they know they need T.J. Watt, and a deal is likely going to get done," Palmer said. "But the Steelers' argument is this: that Watt and the defense kind of fell off a little bit the back end of last year." The Steelers suffered a defensive breakdown last season toward the end of the year, as the team lost its final five games, including a 28-14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round. Watt failed to register a sack in the season's final three games and finished the year with 11.5. That's the lowest total of his career when he's played at least 16 games. "He's had some injuries," Palmer stated. "He's battled through them. He's going to be 31 years old. Do you give $100 million guaranteed to somebody like that? I think that's where this battle's going to happen, but I think a deal is going to end up happening." Advertisement Related: Two-Time Super Bowl Champion Sends Honest TJ Watt Message to Steelers Related: Steelers Reportedly Extend Safety DeShon Elliott This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
