When a Hall of Fame quarterback speaks about his former teammate’s contract standoff, fans listen. But Ben Roethlisberger’s recent comments about T.J. Watt’s situation with the Pittsburgh Steelers might leave more questions than answers. The two-time Super Bowl champion admits he’s just as puzzled as everyone else about why the deal isn’t done yet.
What Does Ben Roethlisberger Really Know About T.J. Watt’s Contract Talks?
It’s rare when a player retires after spending his entire career with one team. That final walk out of the facility transforms them from a player to a fan with inside knowledge. The relationships built with teammates become like family. Under those circumstances, they possess insight that many followers of the team lack.
For 18 seasons, Roethlisberger served as the face of the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise . He established himself as one of the most recognizable players in recent memory, winning two Super Bowls and accumulating a 66.4% winning percentage. Now, four years removed from the game, the two-time Super Bowl champion brings a different perspective to the situation.
Many of his former teammates have either changed teams or retired. However, Watt, who played alongside Roethlisberger for five seasons (2017-2021), finds himself in a precarious spot. With one year remaining on his current deal, the four-time All-Pro wants a contract extension that matches his contemporaries based on his production.
On his “Footbahlin” podcast, Roethlisberger discussed the edge rusher’s issues with the team.
“They still have to invest in one more guy who’s one of the baddest dudes to play. There’s got to be a hang-up between the two. It could be one thing. It could be three or four things. Totally, just throwing random things out there. We don’t even know how close they are to getting done. It feels very far right now.”
You’d think someone who played with Watt during the formative years of the pass rusher’s career would have some idea about what’s causing the current impasse, but Roethlisberger seems just as in the dark as anyone else.
Why Haven’t the Steelers Paid T.J. Watt What He’s Worth?
According to Spotrac, Watt will make $21.05 million in the final year of his current contract, which averaged $28 million when he signed it. That places him 11th in total cash among edge rushers, far lower than what he’s worth.
Watt has clearly outperformed his contract when comparing his stats to those making more money than him, and the Steelers front office needs to make this right and pay him. Cleveland edge rusher Myles Garrett set the high bar for pass rush salaries when he secured a deal averaging $40 million per season, a number Watt will likely want to replicate if not surpass.
Watt holds all the leverage in this situation. By holding out, his absence would destroy Pittsburgh’s defensive game plans. Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith rushes the passer fairly well, but he’s not in the same galaxy as Watt in terms of impact.
General manager Omar Khan faces a crucial decision: either the team values Watt as an elite pass rusher who can still play at this level for the next four seasons, or they turn the page and change the culture in the locker room where the defense runs the show.
Meanwhile, Watt will have at least a dozen suitors if the Steelers don’t extend him. Someone will end up paying, but which team remains to be seen.
