Why the Steelers should hit reset, make bold move with star defender

The Steelers were put on notice the moment the Browns and Myles Garrett agreed to a new deal - one that will pay him $40 million per year and $123.5 in guaranteed money. There's now added pressure on Pittsburgh to lock up T.J. Watt with a contract that breaks the record Garrett just set. 

Even though Pittsburgh will likely cave and pay Watt, it should instead reevaluate the state of the franchise and trade him. Yes, the Pittsburgh Steelers should shop Watt. 

If Garrett is getting $40 million per year, Watt is going to want at least $41 million. There's no way around that. Watt and Garrett are often compared to each other, mostly because they are two future Hall of Fame defensive stars in their prime playing for rivals. 

Watt's not going to give a hometown discount anymore. He's going to want to make a financial statement of being above Garrett. Watt's Hall of Fame brother, J.J., hinted at that during a recent appearance on the Pat McAfee Show. 

"My personal belief—they should have done it last year. I think there was a hometown discount to be had last year." 

And T.J.'s case is simple - he's right. He has been better than Garrett. They both have played eight seasons and Watt has more tackles (462 to 352), more sacks (108 to 102.5), more Pro Bowls (seven to six) and they each have one Defensive Player of the Year award. 

Watt's greatness has never translated into winning in the playoffs. In fact, the Steelers have never won a playoff game with him. The Browns actually have with Garrett, ironically by beating Watt and the Steelers. 

However, while the Browns decided to break the bank to bring Garrett back, the Steelers, a franchise who has been floundering in mediocrity for over a decade, needs to cash in on Watt's greatness. 

Pittsburgh is not going to be a legitimate Super Bowl contender no matter who ends up as their starting quarterback. Everyone agrees the Steeles are in desperate need of an upgrade and stability at the most important position, but that's just not possible based on the current market.  

The Steelers also need far more than just a quarterback. They need more talent at wide receiver, more help on the offensive and defensive line and better play from the secondary. They even need more from the running game. But they aren't going to be able to make all of that happen in one off-season, especially not if they spend so much on Watt. 

And if the Steelers can't truly take that step from winning seasons to legitimately contending - one of the NFL's most prestigious franchises hasn't won a playoff game since January 2017 - they should just blow it all up.  

Trade Watt, send Cam Hayward somewhere that will provide him one last shot at a ring, see what you can get for Minkah Fitzpatrick and consider moving on from the headache that's been George Pickens on and off the field. 

Of course, they likely won't do this. The franchise seems to covet simply winning more games than it loses and never being bad enough to have a top five or even a top 10 draft pick. But again, it's time to finally change course. 

They say insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. The Steelers would be insane to pay Watt and continue doing the same thing over and over again.