Latest news with #Kaboly
USA Today
2 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Insider reveals surprising nature of T.J. Watt's huge extension with Steelers
Before T.J. Watt turned the NFL world upside down with his three-year, $123 million extension, many believed the contract negotiations would last a little while longer — including insider Mark Kaboly, who was completely caught off guard by the breaking news. According to the longtime Steelers insider, both sides were reportedly at a stalemate leading up to the deal — with little evidence to suggest progress was being made in negotiations. "I'm kind of surprised how quickly it came together because a week ago, actually today, there wasn't much movement, man," Kaboly said on his podcast, Kaboly + Mack. "There wasn't much movement at all. They were pretty far away." Kaboly then listed a variety of contractual disagreements that had kept the Steelers and Watt from reaching the deal — insisting the extension was shocking in nature. "There was years," Kaboly said. "There was the number of guaranteed money. There was overall salary. They still felt they were going to get the job done, but even the wisest person in the Steelers organization couldn't have thought it was going to be this quick." Regardless of how surprising the extension was — or what really happened behind the scenes — it's a welcome relief that Watt and the Steelers can finally put this exhausting situation behind them. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
NBC Sports
12-07-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Report: Steelers are "inquiring" as to T.J. Watt's possible trade value
There's often a difference between the things a reporter will write, and the things a reporter will say. When putting words on paper (real or electronic), there's always a greater degree of care. When putting words into the ether, everyone (me included) is a little looser. It happens all the time. The latest example of that dynamic comes from Mark Kaboly, who serves as the Steelers correspondent for The Pat McAfee Show. And the question is whether the Steelers are considering a potential trade of linebacker T.J. Watt, amid an ongoing contract dispute. Here's what Kaboly tweeted on Friday: "[T]here has been no inquires made to other teams about trading [Watt], according to sources.' In an appearance earlier in the day on 93.7 The Fan, however, Kaboly said something that seems contradictory on the face (even if it isn't). On the question of what the Steelers could get in trade for Watt (first-round pick, second-round pick, etc.), Kaboly said this of the Steelers: "[T]hey are obviously inquiring to see what that might be.' When co-host Andrew Fillipponi seemed alarmed by that claim, Kaboly said, 'I'm sure that's due diligence there at this point, right?' This isn't a criticism of Kaboly. It's an effort to drill down to the truth that lurks in the sweet spot between things written and things said. Officially, the Steelers haven't inquired to other teams about trading Watt. Unofficially, as Kaboly said it on the air, they're talking to other teams not about trading for Watt, but in an effort to find out, hypothetically, what his trade value might be. As Kaboly said, it's 'due diligence.' It's important to know all options before making a decision. And that makes sense. The recent report from NFL Media last month wasn't 'there's no way they'll ever trade him.' It was that they have 'no intention' to trade him. Imagine the Chiefs saying they have 'no intention' to trade Patrick Mahomes. Or the Bills as to Josh Allen. Or the Bengals as to Joe Burrow. 'No intention' means the player isn't untradeable. And, on multiple occasions in the past, a team that had 'no intention' to trade a player did. In this case, whoever trades for Watt (if that happens) would have to make him happy financially and give the Steelers enough to get them to move on from their most important player at a time when they seem to be going all in to win a playoff game for the first time since the months before Watt was drafted in early 2017. The due diligence could be part of an effort to say to Watt, when nut-cutting time arrives in the negotiations, 'T.J., no one else is going to give you what you want AND what we want.' If the Steelers want to best frame that issue, they could give Watt permission to shop himself. The Bengals did it with Trey Hendrickson, who learned that there was no one who'd satisfy both him and the Bengals. It's a minefield, to be sure. The mere fact that the Steelers apparently have tiptoed into it speaks to the extent of the gap between the two sides. In the end, the question becomes whether Watt will take or reject the best offer the Steelers make before Week 1. He may want more than Myles Garrett's $40 million per year. If Watt is offered $36 million per year, would he give up $2 million per week? As mentioned on July 4, the Steelers seem to believe he won't. They, and everyone else, may find out otherwise when Week 1 rolls around, with the Steelers rolling into MetLife Stadium for a fairly significant date with the Jets. For now, it seems that the Steelers are trying to find out what fair trade value would be, if they decide between now and the trade deadline that they need to explore that potential route more carefully.
New York Post
11-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
New details emerge over T.J. Watt trade package if Steelers reach ‘point of no return'
The T.J. Watt contract saga is getting worse and worse for the Steelers. Pittsburgh's contract negotiations with Watt are reportedly going nowhere, and the star linebacker's trade value appears to be brutally low. In an appearance on 93.7 The Fan on Friday, Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly said Watt would 'probably' command a second-round pick in a trade, which the Steelers might consider if negotiations reach a 'point of no return.' T.J. Watt with the Steelers in September 2021. AP 'They are obviously inquiring to see what that [return] might be,' Kaboly said. 'If it gets to the point where it's point of no return, maybe that second round pick becomes very handsome.' Kaboly added that by reaching out about Watt's value, the Steelers are doing 'due diligence.' During an episode of ESPN's 'Unsportsmanlike' on Tuesday, NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported the Steelers and Watt are 'far apart' in contract talks. 'There have been other teams that have mulled the idea that maybe they would approach the Pittsburgh Steelers about a trade,' Schefter said. 'Now, the Steelers have zero intention of trading him — but something has to give. 'You can't have it both ways. You can't say, 'We want to keep this guy that badly' and then be far apart in the contract.' T.J. Watt is a seven-time Pro-Bowler. Getty Images Watt, 30, is a seven-time Pro-Bowler and one of the premier defensive players in the NFL. Over his eight-year NFL career, Watt has made 108 sacks and forced 33 fumbles, including 11.5 sacks and a league-high six forced fumbles last year. Watt, who would become an unrestricted free agent in 2026, is reportedly using Myles Garrett's historic four-year contract extension, which pays $40 million per year, as a benchmark for his new deal. That high asking price, plus Watt's age, lowers his value in trade talks. 'If you're shopping [Watt], just to see what the return might be, you're probably not gonna get as much as you think you're gonna get,' Kaboly added. 'If you could get a 2nd rounder you'd probably be lucky, I think.'
USA Today
11-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Insider says Steelers inquired about T.J. Watt trade value
The T.J. Watt contract roller coaster just took another shocking turn — as insider Mark Kaboly has reported that the Steelers have inquired about what T.J. Watt's trade value is. Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan aggregated the news on social media — claiming Kaboly stated the Steelers were "doing their due diligence" on Watt's trade value. Kaboly also made an appearance on the July 11 edition of 93.7 The Fan and explained there was certain information he discovered that was keeping him tight-lipped. After some badgering from Fillipponi, Kaboly added some fuel to the recent second-round pick trade value rumors: "I'm just saying, [the Steelers] are obviously inquiring what that might be. If it gets to the point where it's a point of no return, maybe that second-round pick becomes very handsome." While speculative, it mirrors the trade insight from Adam Schefter, who reported that outside trade interest was expected to increase after the acquisitions of big-contract players Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith. Many have agreed a new deal between Pittsburgh and Watt gets done — but strange and surprising things have characterized this offseason, just like trading away longtime Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
USA Today
04-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Mark Kaboly shares troubling update on Steelers' wide receiver pursuit
Don't hold your breath on Pittsburgh adding additional wide receivers this offseason — as insider Mark Kaboly shed light on what position the Steelers are really after. The recent Minkah Fitzpatrick trade left the Steelers with a glaring hole at safety — and Kaboly doesn't believe FS Juan Thornhill is the long-term answer. During Thursday's appearance on 93.7 The Fan, Kaboly was asked whether he thinks the Steelers will sign a safety over a wide receiver — here was his response: "Yeah, probably," Kaboly said. "I mean, they love Calvin Austin, man. They think Roman Wilson can step up. They're intrigued with Robert Woods. Now, at this point [in free agency], what are you going to get? Are you going to get a Keenan Allen that doesn't want to play, or Amari Cooper? … I like Calvin Austin. I don't know if he could take it to that next level that they need to take it to, but I think they're very willing to be able to take that chance to see if he can do it." It's also worth mentioning that many believe newly acquired TE Jonnu Smith could take some snaps at receiver — particularly in the slot — serving as more evidence that the Steelers value their in-house pass catchers over any more signings. If the Steelers do pursue another safety in free agency, my money would be on four-time All-Pro Justin Simmons or Julian Blackmon. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
