In each of the past two NFL seasons, a case can be made that Pittsburgh Steelers’ leading rest TJ Watt was the best defensive player in the league. And according to Bleacher Report, he will be paid that way.
They compiled their list of free agents in 2022 to get paid, and Watt was the group’s big hit. They speculate Watt’s new contract will cost about five years and $ 140 million.
That would put him ahead of Los Angeles Chargers ‘lead, Joey Bosa, but slightly behind Chicago Bears’ Khalil Mack in terms of overall contract value. But on average, Watt’s $ 28 million a season would be the best in the NFL.
If there’s one place where the Bleacher Report piece misses the point, it’s about where Watt will draw. The chances that a team will host outside of Pittsburgh next season for Watt’s services with the large amount of salary ceilings they will have available are long. If it weren’t for the huge reduction in salary constraints this season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Pittsburgh would have tried to work out an extension of this season.