Why T.J. Watt allegedly isn't 'in any hurry' to get extension done with Steelers

Multiple reports shared over the final week of June indicated that people within the Pittsburgh Steelers "are optimistic" the club will get a deal done with unsettled pass-rusher T.J. Watt. 

Watt stayed away from the team during its mandatory minicamp earlier in June amid his desire for a contract extension.

During the latest edition of the "#1 Cochran Sports Showdown" program that airs on Pittsburgh television station KDKA, Steelers insider Mark Kaboly of "The Pat McAfee Show" hinted that Watt is willing to wait and see if Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys, Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals or Aidan Hutchinson of the Detroit Lions resets the market for players at the position this summer. 

"That's one of the reasons why I don't think T.J.'s in any hurry," Kaboly said about the Watt situation, according to Joe Clark of Steelers Depot. "How does it benefit T.J. Watt to sign right now? You know he's gonna hold in. ...So why not take it up until [September?] See what Micah Parsons and Aidan Hutchinson might be able to get."

Kaboly was referencing how Watt participated only in individual drills during training camp in 2021 until he and the Steelers agreed to an extension shortly before the start of that season.

Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns likely changed Watt's asking price after Garrett signed a four-year, $160M deal that included $123.5M guaranteed earlier in the offseason. For a piece published on June 11, Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports predicted that Parsons will get a four-year, $162M extension from the Cowboys. It's unclear if Watt would look to better such a contract before the upcoming campaign gets underway. 

While Watt is signed through the 2025 season, Pittsburgh should want to make him happy with a pay raise sooner rather than later. The Steelers' signing of 41-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers earlier in June was always a win-now move even before ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Monday that Pittsburgh was acquiring cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith from the Miami Dolphins in exchange for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and a pick swap.

"I don't think they're very close right now," Schefter said during a Monday appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" about contract talks between Pittsburgh and Watt, per Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot. "And I don't think that he's particularly pleased."

Watt may not have a number in mind that would make him "pleased" if he is truly waiting for others to receive extensions. In short, it sounds like the Watt-Steelers saga may not wrap up before Pittsburgh players report for training camp on July 23.