Steelers Urged To Get 'Creative' With Watt Extension

Of several ongoing contract extension disputes around the NFL in late June, one in particular continues to impact the Pittsburgh Steelers. Veteran linebacker/EDGE T.J. Watt remains without a deal following the conclusion of OTAs. 

Watt had grown frustrated with the lack of movement on this front and proceeded to hold out from mandatory minicamp earlier this month. Despite a slight dip in his production last season, the 30-year-old defensive star remains a force for the Steelers front seven.

But the Steelers are navigating a major hurdle. Most notably Myles Garrett's previous record extension has thrown a wrench into the framework Pittsburgh anticipated a few months ago. His extension pays out an average of $40 million per year which was the most in league history for a non quarterback. 

There's a chance Watt may want a contract of a similar nature. To best work around that massive number while keeping Watt happy, Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review encouraged some creativity from the Steelers' end. 

"I think what they'll probably do is...find a way to creatively make the average annual value maybe look 41 million or 40 million and a half or 40 million and $1," Adamski said on the KDKA Sports Showdown.

"And then you can creatively void years or non-guarantees, things like that. You can make it so everybody sort of wins, where T.J. gets to say he is the highest-paid defensive player. And the Steelers maybe don't commit to five years and everything else. There's a lot of accounting tricks out there in the salary-cap world." 

When these matters hit a wall, sometimes creative thinking can help exercise from flexibility from both parties. The Steelers are working against other teams including the Dallas Cowboys who are trying to progress toward an extension for Micah Parsons. 

Regardless, the goal is to get Watt on the field. Pittsburgh has enough tools to put out a competent unit but this group loses their edge quite literally without Watt involved. The relationship remains a positive one from both sides, so hopefully they make some progress before training camp begins next month.