Report: Steelers, T.J. Watt had passive-aggressive exchange

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Previous negotiations between T.J. Watt and the Steelers involved a tense exchange

The Pittsburgh Steelers and star edge rusher T.J. Watt still have yet to come to an agreement on a new deal. Watt is entering the final year of his contract and is likely to get more than $40 million per year, topping Myles Garrett in terms of average money per year. While there is no deal in place, rumors are coming out about what took place the last time the Steelers and Watt were in this position.

Appearing on 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh, NFL insider Aditi Kinkhabwala shared details on an exchange that reportedly took place between the former Defensive Player of the Year and the organization.

“T.J. Watt was openly told, ‘You’re fortunate to be a Steeler,’” Kinkhabwala said via Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot. “And his response was, ‘You’re fortunate to have me.’”

Kinkhabwala likened this exchange to the current mindset of the Steelers, and hinted that it could be something standing in the way this time around.

“The Steelers’ attitude, the Steelers’ mindset… is that it is such a privilege to be in this uniform, to wear this uniform,” Kinkhabwala said. “That, therefore, you should take a hometown discount just because you get to play for one of those cornerstone trademark organizations.”

Mark Madden of 105.9 The X in Pittsburgh fired back at this report, saying there’s no way this exchange took place.

“No ***king way they said that to Watt,” Madden said on X.

Of course, this comes down to who you believe. If the Steelers did, indeed, approach Watt in that pretentious way, and continue to do so this time around, they are 100 percent in the wrong. Had they won anything as of late, then perhaps they could go in with that attitude. This all just feels like an unnecessarily long game of chicken when the all but guaranteed outcome is the Steelers paying Watt when all is said and done.