Steelers’ T.J. Watt reportedly becomes the highest paid defensive player in the NFL and brother J.J. Watt jokes about collecting old debts
Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt is becoming the highest paid defensive player in NFL history, according to USA TODAY Sports and other media reports.
And one person wants to collect some money from the former Wisconsin Badger: older brother J.J. Watt.
J.J. Watt jokingly tweeted at his younger brother shortly after news broke of the deal asking if he should “send those outstanding IOU’s to your accountant or do you want to just Venmo me?”
T.J. Watt, who was the 30th pick in the 2017 NFL draft by the Steelers, has signed a contract extension for four years worth $112 million ($28 million per season), according to a person with knowledge of the deal told USA TODAY Sports. Watt will also get $80 million in guarantees.
The average annual salary is the highest ever for a defensive player, USA TODAY Sports reports.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced publicly.
The negotiations between T.J. Watt’s camp and the Steelers have been going on all training camp with teammates even speaking out about them in favor of their teammate.
But with the season set to begin on Sunday, a deal finally got done.
T.J. Watt’s megadeal comes after his monster 2020 season with the Steelers
T.J. Watt is coming off a huge season in which he led the NFL in sacks (15), quarterback hits (41) and tackles for a loss (23). He was the runner-up in the defensive player of the year voting. Watt took third in the 2019 season.
It has been a noteworthy offseason for the 26-year-old T.J. Watt.
He got engaged this summer to longtime girlfriend Dani Rhodes, a professional soccer player from Waukesha.
T.J. Watt tweeted Thursday evening “If it’s ok with Yinz, I’d like to stay a while!! LETS GO PITTSBURGH!!!”