Pittsburgh Steelers Break Team Policy To Strike $112 Million Deal With T.J. Watt
Ben Roethlisberger made a public plea for his teammate to get paid and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ veteran quarterback got his wish a day later.
The Steelers agreed to terms with star outside linebacker J.T. Watt on a four-year, $112 million contract extension Thursday, according to multiple sources. The deal includes $80 million in guaranteed money.
The sides came to an agreement a day after Roethlisberger said the Steelers should pay Watt “whatever he wants.”
The Steelers were also willing to change their contract policy to get Watt in the fold through the 2025 season.
The organization has always held fast in negotiations about not fully guaranteeing money in a contract beyond the first season. However, Watt’s salary is guaranteed for the 2021–23 season.
Of the $80 million guaranteed, $35 million comes in as a signing bonus. The other $45 million consists of salaries of $1 million this season, $24 million in 2022 and $20 million in 2023.
Watt will also have salaries of $21.05 million in both 2024 and 2025, though they are not guaranteed.
The contract contains the most guaranteed money in the Steelers’ history. Roethlisberger’s extension in 2015 included $60.75 million guaranteed.
Watt becomes the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL with his average salary of $28 million over the life of the contract. That surpasses the $27 million annual average value of Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa’s deal.
