It didn’t take long for Steelers players, both past and present, to make their feelings about T.J. Watt’s new contract known.
Cam Heyward, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Joe Haden and T.J.’s brother Derek Watt are among current Steelers players to express their excitement over the runner-up for the 2020 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award getting big money to stay in Pittsburgh for another 4 years.
Heyward tweeted “happy for my dude” with a simple GIF of a baby smiling. This came after he closed his media session earlier in the day by saying “pay T.J.” before walking away.
Happy for my dude @_TJWatt pic.twitter.com/k2bJp3lNqz
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) September 9, 2021
Smith-Schuster quotes a report of the deal with a “congrats” and some emojis while Derek tweets “let’s go!” followed by a funny GIF depicting a Chris Farley line from a movie.
Congrats @_TJWatt !! 🔥💪🏾💰 https://t.co/pXHq5z9mew
— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) September 9, 2021
Let’s Go! 🔥 @_TJWatt https://t.co/8dKHEaCKsi pic.twitter.com/w3nNBzAyql
— Derek Watt (@DerekWatt34) September 9, 2021
Former Steelers cornerback turned NFL analyst Ryan Clark added “the right thing to do” as a quote tweet of the official NFL account announcing the contract.
The right thing to do. https://t.co/c8qRjTDZCq
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) September 9, 2021
T.J. Watt’s 4-year, $112 million contract includes $80 million guaranteed at signing and will make Watt the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history. The contract will have an average annual value of $28.003 million.