Report: Steelers Restructure Contract of FB Derek Watt

The Pittsburgh Steelers have restructured the contract of fullback Derek Watt, according to a report by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network on Wednesday.


Watt had been set to count for $3.833 million against the team’s 2021 salary cap in his second year with the club after singing a three-year, $9.75 million free agent contract last offseason.

The restructuring will save the team approximately $880,000 in 2021 cap space, with that money converted to deferred signing bonus for the 2022 season.


Watt, 28, played in 12 games with the Steelers in 2020, dealing with a pair of injuries during the season. He did not have a regular season carry or catch, but rushed twice for two yards in the team’s playoff loss to Cleveland.

He was a more-regular contributor on special teams, where he had eight tackles, one tackle for loss and a safety.

Watt represents the third cap-saving contract maneuver this offseason, along with the restructuring of defensive lineman Cam Heyward and the voidable extension of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.