T.J. Watt agrees to $112 million pact with Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh linebacker T.J. Watt is set to become the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player after he agreed to a four-year, $112 million extension, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Thursday.
The $28 million average salary surpasses the $27 million-per-season deal that Chargers linebacker Joey Bosa signed Aug. 1. Bosa’s five-year contract includes $78 million in guaranteed money.
The Steelers have a policy of not negotiating contracts once the season starts, so the window to get something done with Watt was close to closing. If an extension had failed to get done, there’s a chance the team could have retained Watt in the short term by placing the franchise tag on him for 2022.
Watt, 26, led the NFL with 15 sacks and 23 tackles for loss last season. The three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro is guaranteed $80 million in his new deal, Rapoport reported.
The agreement ends any speculation about the team’s long-term plans for Watt and clears up his availability for Sunday’s season opener at Buffalo.
Watt did not practice during 11-on-11 drills with the firstteam defense until this week after choosing to sit out all four preseason games and work on individual drills during training camp.
Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin said Wednesday that Watt “looked good” while hitting in pads, though defensive coordinator Keith Butler cautioned there’s a difference between being in cardiovascular shape and “hitting shape.”
“I think we’ve got to be careful about how many plays he plays,” Butler said Thursday. “He’s a veteran. He knows how he feels. He knows how he’s going to feel when he starts playing and stuff like that. We’ve just got to be smart enough to know how much is too much and how much is too little.”
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and defensive end Cam Heyward were among the Steelers who had urged the team to get Watt signed.
Roethlisberger said Wednesday that Watt “is worth every penny” and should “get whatever he wants.” Heyward added Thursday that Watt is a “game-changer“who “should be paid.”
Ravens hurting: Baltimore listed running back Gus Edwards and cornerback Marcus Peters as limited in practice after ESPN reported the team feared that each player had suffered a torn ACL during practice Thursday.
Losing Edwards would be another major blow to Baltimore’s backfield after the Ravens lost running back J.K. Dobbins to a season-ending knee injury in their final preseason game. Running back
Justice Hill went on injured reserve this week.
The Ravens led the NFL in rushing last season, when Dobbins and Edwards combined for 1,528 yards on the ground. Baltimore signed running back Le’Veon Bell to the practice squad this week and signed Trenton Cannon to the active roster.
Additionally, running back Devonta Freeman is joining Baltimore’s practice squad, according to agent Drew Rosenhaus. Freeman played five games last season for Buffalo after six seasons with Atlanta. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards in 2015 and 2016.
Baltimore opens its season Monday night at Las Vegas, and it’s possible the Ravens’ top running back for the game will be Ty’Son Williams, who was on the practice squad last year and has not had a carry in a regular-season game.
Mum’s the word:Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson again declined to say whether he has received the COVID-19 vaccine, calling it a private matter.
Jackson, who missed a game last year and the first 10 days of training camp this year with separate coronavirus infections, said last month that he was still considering whether to get the vaccine. Head coach John Harbaugh said Monday that the team’s vaccination rate is over 90%.
“I want to keep that (decision) between me and my family and the doctors,” Jackson said. “That’s all.”
Briefly: New Orleans acquired cornerback Bradley Roby from Houston for a 2022 third-round draft pick and a conditional 2023 selection. The Texans reportedly will pay $7 million of the $8.6 million that is due to Roby this season. Roby made 10 starts in each of the past two seasons with the Texans . ... Kansas City safety Tyrann Mathieu, a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro who has been on the reserve/ COVID-19 list since Sept. 1 after testing positive for the coronavirus, has yet to be cleared to play in the Chiefs’ opener Sunday against Cleveland . ... Atlanta tight end Parker Hesse was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list . ... Indianapolis waived tight end Andrew Vollert, a St. Ignatius, CCSF and San Jose State alum.