The Pittsburgh Steelers’ financial jousting with edge rusher T.J. Watt doesn’t have to be about Myles Garrett’s contract from yesterday or about Micah Parsons’ contract tomorrow.

So the idea that the future Hall of Famer Watt doesn’t want to be “petty” here rings true.

But so does the number … $100 million.

This offseason, the Cleveland Browns edge rusher Garrett re-set the market with a $160 million deal. In the coming weeks, Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Parsons figures to re-set it again.

Does that mean Watt, approaching age 31, gets $40 million per year in a long-term deal?

Said James Palmer via Bleacher Report. “Do you give $100 million guaranteed to somebody like that? I think that’s where this battle’s going to happen …”

What’s notable here is that $123.6 million of Garrett’s deal is guaranteed.

What’s key to the Steelers’ argument here is that Watt declined as a producer in 2024. … though obviously the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year has created for himself a very high bar.

Some believe this new deal is destined to approach that now-magical $40 million per year mark, which leads to the debate about whether the Steelers should …

a) Pay Watt for the great things he’s already done, of …

b) Pay Watt in anticipation of what he will accomplish in the future?

We say a deal is likely going to get done. But we also say that in the end, it’s the guaranteed money that will be the tipping point as to when it gets done.