Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers is apparently ready to call time on his glittering NFL career after his upcoming campaign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and by all accounts he is keen to see one of Mike Tomlin’s roster sign a new deal, such is his valuation of their importance to what the Acrisure Stadium side can achieve in 2025.
Having spent two years at the New York Jets, the first of which was a bust due to a career-ending injury suffered in his first game, Rodgers is looking to make up for lost time. The four-time NFL MVP has been full of praise for long-running head coach Tomlin, and is clearly keen to make an impact with the Steelers in the time he does have at the Pittsburgh franchise.
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41-year-old Rodgers is the type of legendary figure, who is also very outspoken, who can no doubt freely make comments and suggestions when it comes to those he may be playing alongside and he’s made it as clear as possible that he’d like to see Pittsburgh secure experienced T.J. Watt to a new deal the QB stating.
“Once we get our Hall of Fame outside rush-backer signed, you’re talking about another guy who’s a leader, not just by his example, but by his words.”
He made that comment having already commented that he’s ‘pretty sure’ 2025 will be his last season in the NFL, and he clearly would like to go out with a bang, which would be in marked contrast to the underwhelming period he spent at the MetLife Stadium.
Watt was drafted by the Steelers in 2017, the 30th overall pick, and he has been a mainstay of the team ever since. He started all regular-season games over the past two seasons and arguably deserves the deal that he is reportedly looking to secure.
He will make $21 million from the final year of his current deal, but by all accounts, wants even more from any new contract. Gerry Dulac, of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, has commented on the negotiations, revealing.
“The stalemate is going to be that T.J. Watt wants to be the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league.”
“And the Steelers are looking at it that he’s age 31. In order to accommodate any kind of large contract, it can’t be a three-year deal, it has to be a five-year deal because you need to spread the money out.”
With that in mind, it’s worth noting that Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is the best paid non-QB player in the league, recently securing a deal worth in excess of $40 million, which goes some way to illustrating just how much the Steelers may have to spend to keep T.J. Watt, a seven-time Pro Bowl pick, happy.
The fact that Rodgers has publicly come out to defend those demands may well aid Watt’s ambitions.
