With a slew of contracts for the Pittsburgh Steelers up for expiration, does the 3rd Watt brother stand a chance?
Fullback Derek Watt has been in the Steel City since the 2020 season after four years with the Los Angeles Chargers and has contributed little to no offensive production during his career. Over two full seasons, fans have witnessed Watt rush the ball just one time, for a single yard. Even on run blocking plays, Watt is seemingly non-existent. That has been the extent of his fullback ability, electing more to serve a role on special teams. However, Steeler Nation still tilts their head at his salary: the 4th highest in the NFL among fullbacks. At a position that's slowly being phased out across the league, players like Watt are better served being a Swiss army knife, serving multiple roles at once.
Steeler Nation, though, is growing impatient.
Photo via Yardbarker
Are the Steelers paying too much?
At a whopping $9.75 million over his three-year deal, most of which has already been paid out, Watt is expected to earn a base salary of around $2.75 million in 2022. Nearing the end of his contract, the front office of the Steelers is going to have to ask themselves: how much of that salary is talent, and how much is the Watt namesake?
Not to disenfranchise Derek by any means. His role on special teams was overlooked, as many are outside of the pure kicking game. There are simply too many roles in football that require more attention, so being a special teams' linemen isn't going to garner any headlines. Mostly, though, Watt is best highlighted by his ability to lead out blocks for the run. Steeler Nation would probably enjoy seeing that more often, especially with the lack of offensive production in 2021. However, Watt remains mostly in the shadows, collecting his checks and serving a relatively limited role in the Steelers overall scheme.
Photo via Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
That's how most fans see it. But not Head Coach Mike Tomlin.
"He's the captain of our special teams. He's a very credible fullback. Some weeks he's going to be featured. Some weeks he's going to not be featured… it's just the nature of this thing."
A coach going to bat for his special teams' captain is the obvious move, and maybe there truly is some backroom wizardry going on that makes Derek Watt worth the large salary dump. Either way, it's going to get much harder to justify that payment after the 2022 season.
There are some big names that the Steelers are going to have to try to keep around in 2023, including some massive stars expecting some big paydays. Minkah Fitzpatrick comes to mind, as well as key contributors like Diontae Johnson, Chris Boswell, Cam Sutton, Miles Boykin, or Terrell Edmunds. That $9.75 million is looking a lot less affordable now, huh? The front office for the Steelers should be asking themselves in advance: can we keep up this dirt cheap offense in 2023?
All credit to Derek, but Steeler Nation knows who the more impressive Watt brother is, considering he just got paid a ridiculous deal that makes him the highest paid defensive player in the league this upcoming season. Captain of special teams or not, is nepotism the culprit? That's to say, is the reputable Watt name giving #44 a pay boost?
Photo via Steelers.com
Well, it's likely considering the torrent of media coverage the Steelers received after uniting two of the Watt brothers under the same club. But Coach Tomlin and the Steelers organization certainly vouch for Derek at every turn, so maybe his value as captain and solid role player is worth the money -- even necessary. But at the end of the day, money talks. When you're placed in the same tax brackets of Kyle Juszczyk and Patrick Ricard, you really can't afford to be an unsung hero like Watt has shown himself to be. And the Steelers might not be able to afford him at all with the amount of outstretched hands it's about to deal with after this year.
Either way, Derek Watt is going to have to make this year count. The Black and Gold don't shy away from leaving players out to dry. After all, it's just business.
Will Derek Watt return after 2022? Let us know below!
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