AFC North: Steelers to trade T.J. Watt? Teams are lining up

The pass rushing demon is not happy at all with his contract after Browns Myles Garrett’s deal

Back in 2017, the Cleveland Browns had the first overall pick in the NFL draft. They had quite a few blue-chip prospects earmarked for that top spot, including DEs Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt, RBs Leonard Fournette and Christian McCaffrey, QBs Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson, and S Jamal Adams.

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Obviously, Cleveland chose Garrett. In hindsight, what would this Browns franchise be like if they had traded up to grab Mahomes in addition to Garrett in Round 1? These two would be worth mortgaging the farm. But things are what they are.

Garrett has had a great career. But so has Watt. As Browns’ fans, we know his capability to disrupt a game every contest. Strange enough, he was taken late at pick #30 in the first round by the Pittsburgh Steelers, who were looking for pass-rushing help that year. Now he has been to seven Pro Bowls and voted First Team All-Pro four different seasons.

Now comes word from Steelers camp that Watt just might be up for grabs and traded away.

What are the issues? Glad you asked.

Adam Schefter of ESPN has stated that in recent weeks, Pittsburgh has considered trading the talented pass rusher. Watt has skipped voluntary OTAs and mini-camp because he is unhappy with his contract.

This is probably because of the mega-deal extension Garrett received from the Browns during this off-season that reset the EDGE rusher market as follows:

• 4-year extension (on top of two years of roster control the Browns already had)
• $40 million average per year
• $100,000,000 in cash to be paid out in the first three years of the contract
• $88.8 million in new guaranteed money on top of the guaranteed money that Garrett was already owed
• No trade clause

And we thought Burger King was the home of the Whopper.

Watt is entering the final year of the contract that he inked in 2021. That deal was for four years, worth $112 million with an average of $28 million per year.

For Watt, how dare the Steelers pay him $28 million a year when Garrett is getting $40 million a season, eh?

Garrett will turn 30 this season, while Watt is already 30 years old with a birthday in October. Since they both came into the league together, the comparison between the two is interesting.

Watt has 108 career sacks with a high of 22.5 in 2021, 462 total tackles, 126 tackles for loss, 12 fumble recoveries, 304 pressures, 225 QB hits, 103 knockdowns, 92 hurries, 27 batted passes, six interceptions with two pick-sixes.

In comparison, Garrett has 102.5 career sacks with a high of 16 in both 2021 and 2022, 352 total tackles, 116 tackles for loss, 6 fumble recoveries, 280 pressures, 200 QB hits, 88 knockdowns, 88 hurries, 10 batted passes, and zero interceptions.

Because Watt’s stats best Garrett in every single defensive category, he feels he deserves a contract that is at least equal to Garrett’s.

Currently, negotiations are at a standstill. The only gesture that has occurred was back in April when Watt posted a picture to his Instagram story of himself flashing a peace sign in a Steelers jersey. Whatever that meant. Some believed it was a cryptic message potentially related to his ongoing contract situation. Others have indicated he is stating he is worth two first-round draft picks.

Both players have been the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, with Watt snagging the distinction ahead of Garrett in 2021 while the Browns’ pass rusher received his in 2023.

Right now, Pittsburgh GM Omar Khan has been saying the right things, stating they desire to have Watt finish his career in black and gold.

On the website The Spun, they ran a story about the Steelers preferring to simply trade Watt, especially since he is in the final year of his deal.

Schefter gave his own opinion of Pittsburgh dealing away its best pass rusher:

“In recent weeks, multiple teams have been discussing whether they can trade for Steelers’ standout T.J. Watt, who skipped the team’s most recent minicamp. Pittsburgh hasn’t shown any willingness to deal Watt so far, but he’s unhappy with his contractual situation and sources believe outside team interest is likely to increase given today’s trade.”

As far as Watt himself, he hasn’t said anything.

Several NFL teams are known for rubbing two nickels together. Pittsburgh is one of them. If they think Watt is pricing himself out of a job, they just may send him to another team and get a good bounty for him.

Already, NFL clubs are lining up to inquire about a trade situation with the Steelers. Some of the teams reportedly interested include the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins, plus division foes Baltimore Ravens, and yes, the Browns. Another report has him traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. And in another article, it the Los Angeles Rams who are making a pitch.

Now, before anyone gets too excited, understand that nobody trades within the division. Secondly, they avoid trading within the conference. What makes the most sense is to ship off the player to the other conference, and then a team won’t face their former employee except for every four years, and hopefully in the Super Bowl. That is the only time they would cross paths.

What Pittsburgh wants is for Watt to finish out his current contract with the agreement that he signed. Watt’s camp is pointing to his numbers that are all greater than Garrett’s, and yet he is getting paid a lot less for doing a lot more.

Both the Packers and Lions have already contacted Pittsburgh regarding Watt’s availability. If a trade did come about with either of these two clubs, it would jettison their defense and up their chances for another Super Bowl run. Each team has an impressive roster and built to win now.

This week, the Steelers showed they are already in trade mode, having dealt away one of their best defenders in safety Micah Fitzpatrick and a fifth-round draft pick to the Miami Dolphins for CB Jalen Ramsey, TE Jonnu Smith, and a seventh-round draft selection.

RELATED: STEELERS TRADE DOWNGRADES DEFENSE

And this off-season, there have been several other significant trades bringing in WR D.K. Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks, then shipping WR George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys in addition to the Fitzpatrick trade. Also, Pittsburgh has severed ties with both QB Russell Wilson and QB Justin Fields and brought in QB Aaron Rodgers and signed WR Robert Woods.

For now, there aren’t any contract negotiations going on. Or planned. Watt is under contract, and either plays out his deal this year, or just maybe, he sits.

And if the latter occurs, that just may force the Steelers’ hand and ship him off.

That laughing you hear? That is Steelers GM Khan on the other line when Browns GM Andrew Berry calls about the availability of Watt.