J.J. Watt, NFL insider address mindset of T.J. Watt after agreeing to contract extension

The Pittsburgh Steelers were seemingly "reluctant" to guarantee money beyond the first year of a contract extension handed to pass-rusher T.J. Watt but nevertheless gave him a three-year, $123M deal that included $108M guaranteed before veteran Steelers players began reporting to training camp on Wednesday. 

During a Monday appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter discussed the contract negotiations between Watt and the Steelers. 

"They were just really far apart, disagreeing on the length of the contract," Schefter said, as shared by Ross McCorkle of Steelers Depot. "I think he would've wanted four years. I think they would've liked two years. They compromised, met at three."

The perception exists that Watt wanted an extension he felt was better than the four-year, $160M deal that included $123.5M guaranteed that Myles Garrett received from the Cleveland Browns after he went public with a trade request this past winter. Watt can now say he was the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history for a time, but it's likely that Dallas Cowboys defensive star Micah Parsons will take that title at some point this summer. 

For what it's worth, Parsons reported for training camp even though he didn't have an extension in hand as of Monday afternoon. 

Also during Monday's edition of "The Pat McAfee Show," future Hall of Famer J.J. Watt discussed his brother's mindset heading into training camp now that the 30-year-old has his desired extension from the Steelers. 

"He's in a great spot," J.J. said about T.J., per Joe Clark of Steelers Depot. "I know he feels extremely good. He's been training his (expletive) off. He's in a good spot. He's really excited about camp. He's looking forward to being back with the boys. It's gonna be great."

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin may not be on the hot seat heading into the season, but the fact remains that Pittsburgh signing 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers to be its starting quarterback was a win-now move for a team that has gone 0-5 in playoff games since January 2018. If nothing else, ensuring that T.J. Watt will be a fully motivated participant when training camp practices get underway helped the Steelers avoid what could have become a worrisome distraction this summer.