1 00:00:03,880 --> 00:00:07,119 Speaker 1: Least. He's The Drive with Dale Lolly and Matt Williamson 2 00:00:07,520 --> 00:00:12,680 Speaker 1: on your home of the Black and Gold Steelers Nation Radio. 3 00:00:39,600 --> 00:00:41,919 Speaker 1: Welcome back to the Drive. I'm Dale Lolly here with 4 00:00:42,000 --> 00:00:47,199 Speaker 1: Matt Williamson and Matt Earlier today, UH, the Houston Texans 5 00:00:47,280 --> 00:00:50,120 Speaker 1: and j J. Watt announced a mutual parting of the ways. 6 00:00:50,960 --> 00:00:54,440 Speaker 1: UM I saw something. It was kind of interesting. UM 7 00:00:54,600 --> 00:00:57,400 Speaker 1: Pro Football Talk put out a tweet that said, it's 8 00:00:57,480 --> 00:01:00,440 Speaker 1: interesting that the Texans would would go ahead and let 9 00:01:00,440 --> 00:01:03,880 Speaker 1: the JJ want walk without any compensation, but they won't 10 00:01:03,880 --> 00:01:07,119 Speaker 1: trade Deshaun Watson. I saw that there's no comparison there 11 00:01:07,760 --> 00:01:13,200 Speaker 1: that racial undertones, and there's it's apple Oin absolutely once. 12 00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:15,520 Speaker 1: That's twenty five year old quarterback. The other one's a 13 00:01:15,560 --> 00:01:18,000 Speaker 1: thirty two year old defensive lineman that they were looking 14 00:01:18,040 --> 00:01:21,200 Speaker 1: to move. They just wanted they went out from under 15 00:01:21,240 --> 00:01:24,600 Speaker 1: that contract. Yes, I was a little shocked that they 16 00:01:24,600 --> 00:01:26,639 Speaker 1: couldn't get a pick for him in some way, shape 17 00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:30,000 Speaker 1: or form. But nobody knows. The cap is gonna be. 18 00:01:30,040 --> 00:01:33,040 Speaker 1: Everyone's up against it, and he's really expensive. So here's 19 00:01:33,040 --> 00:01:36,520 Speaker 1: how he He was scheduled to make seventeen and a 20 00:01:36,520 --> 00:01:40,360 Speaker 1: half million dollars in bass salary this year bass salary. 21 00:01:40,400 --> 00:01:43,680 Speaker 1: That means that's untradeable. That's untradeable. I didn't realize it 22 00:01:43,760 --> 00:01:48,480 Speaker 1: was that much. Yeah, so any team that would have traded, 23 00:01:49,640 --> 00:01:51,640 Speaker 1: any team that would would have traded for him, would 24 00:01:51,640 --> 00:01:53,160 Speaker 1: have had to take on that seventeen and a half 25 00:01:53,200 --> 00:01:57,880 Speaker 1: million dollar salary. Nobody's gonna do that. Um. A couple 26 00:01:57,920 --> 00:02:00,440 Speaker 1: of things. First of all, totally I saw that tweet. 27 00:02:00,480 --> 00:02:02,680 Speaker 1: Now there's not many tweets I see, but I like 28 00:02:03,160 --> 00:02:07,200 Speaker 1: it feels like you're just spoking the ones guy is 29 00:02:07,200 --> 00:02:09,919 Speaker 1: a cap casualty, which has no value of the team. 30 00:02:10,080 --> 00:02:12,800 Speaker 1: One's the second best asset in all of the the 31 00:02:12,800 --> 00:02:14,560 Speaker 1: other guy you can get three or four first round 32 00:02:14,600 --> 00:02:17,440 Speaker 1: draft pick because he asked for it, you know, as 33 00:02:17,480 --> 00:02:19,400 Speaker 1: opposed to trading him for a ton or trying to 34 00:02:19,400 --> 00:02:22,000 Speaker 1: bring him back. I mean, I was talking about the 35 00:02:22,000 --> 00:02:26,919 Speaker 1: Texans today. Their offense average the most yards per play 36 00:02:27,000 --> 00:02:29,960 Speaker 1: in the entire league, tied, you know, tied with the 37 00:02:30,040 --> 00:02:33,560 Speaker 1: Chiefs because of Watson, you know, I mean, he's unbelievably valuable. 38 00:02:33,639 --> 00:02:36,120 Speaker 1: That's a side note. We didn't talk about what Here's 39 00:02:36,120 --> 00:02:37,880 Speaker 1: what I think Watt is as a player right now 40 00:02:38,120 --> 00:02:40,280 Speaker 1: is I think he's in the first tip ballot Hall 41 00:02:40,280 --> 00:02:42,440 Speaker 1: of Famer if he never no doubt, I mean it's 42 00:02:42,480 --> 00:02:45,720 Speaker 1: Tim and Aaron Donald are the best players of this generation. 43 00:02:46,120 --> 00:02:48,400 Speaker 1: I can I can tell you that word. I'm curious. J. J. 44 00:02:48,520 --> 00:02:50,760 Speaker 1: Watt on the Hall of Fame monitors the fourth best 45 00:02:50,760 --> 00:02:54,560 Speaker 1: defensive lineman ever defensive endeavor. Okay, the only guys ahead 46 00:02:54,560 --> 00:02:58,239 Speaker 1: of them are Reggie White, Bruce Smith, Jack young Bluck. Okay, 47 00:02:58,360 --> 00:03:00,760 Speaker 1: Jack young Blood is kind of a surprise. Be I'd 48 00:03:00,840 --> 00:03:02,640 Speaker 1: rather play Agains Jackiell and Blood and J. J J. Watton 49 00:03:02,720 --> 00:03:05,359 Speaker 1: his prime. But he's a no brainer, and I think 50 00:03:05,440 --> 00:03:07,720 Speaker 1: him and Aaron Donald are the best defensive lineman since 51 00:03:07,720 --> 00:03:11,600 Speaker 1: Reggie White. Do you I mean like all time great? Obviously? Um. 52 00:03:11,760 --> 00:03:14,520 Speaker 1: I still think he's very effective. He's not that level. 53 00:03:14,520 --> 00:03:16,320 Speaker 1: He's not the best defensive lineman the league. I think 54 00:03:16,360 --> 00:03:20,679 Speaker 1: he's more effective if he plays like thirty five a 55 00:03:20,680 --> 00:03:23,880 Speaker 1: couple times. He needs to be a rotational player, right, situational, 56 00:03:24,400 --> 00:03:27,200 Speaker 1: And the beauty of him is he brings a ton 57 00:03:27,200 --> 00:03:29,519 Speaker 1: of energy, and he brings a ton of versatility. You 58 00:03:29,520 --> 00:03:30,880 Speaker 1: can play him an end or you can play him 59 00:03:30,880 --> 00:03:32,600 Speaker 1: a tackle. He can stand up and do bud the 60 00:03:32,600 --> 00:03:35,800 Speaker 1: pre things he can play the nose on third and nine. 61 00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:39,280 Speaker 1: You know, you can move him anywhere in between. So, 62 00:03:39,480 --> 00:03:41,800 Speaker 1: like Standis asked me, well to see fit the scheme, 63 00:03:41,840 --> 00:03:44,160 Speaker 1: I'm like, he fits every scheme. Yeah he does. I 64 00:03:44,160 --> 00:03:47,200 Speaker 1: mean you're somewhere you can. It's like Aaron Donald, you would. 65 00:03:48,040 --> 00:03:50,400 Speaker 1: He fits any scheme and you can line them up 66 00:03:50,400 --> 00:03:52,880 Speaker 1: in so many different spots that no matter what position 67 00:03:52,960 --> 00:03:56,400 Speaker 1: you need, he could do it well enough. Still, but 68 00:03:56,440 --> 00:03:59,480 Speaker 1: you're right, he needs to be a rotational player to 69 00:03:59,560 --> 00:04:02,520 Speaker 1: be best used and the studios will be perfect for that. 70 00:04:03,160 --> 00:04:09,080 Speaker 1: But for free, Yeah, he's not going to play for free. Um, 71 00:04:09,160 --> 00:04:12,000 Speaker 1: so you know what's is he worth at this point 72 00:04:12,040 --> 00:04:13,800 Speaker 1: in his career as he is a part time player 73 00:04:13,800 --> 00:04:16,479 Speaker 1: and is he willing to accept that kind of roles 74 00:04:17,520 --> 00:04:21,000 Speaker 1: can give them? Right? So the the question that you 75 00:04:21,320 --> 00:04:23,960 Speaker 1: have to ask yourself and if you're J. J. Watt, Okay, 76 00:04:23,960 --> 00:04:25,480 Speaker 1: do I want to go somewhere where I can win 77 00:04:25,520 --> 00:04:30,840 Speaker 1: a potentially win a Super Bowl or and maybe you 78 00:04:30,839 --> 00:04:32,800 Speaker 1: could do the same this with the Steelers as well. 79 00:04:33,040 --> 00:04:34,360 Speaker 1: Do I want to go to the Steelers and play 80 00:04:34,400 --> 00:04:36,760 Speaker 1: with my brothers and potentially win a Super Bowl and 81 00:04:36,839 --> 00:04:39,400 Speaker 1: be part of it potentially the best defensive league. Yeah, 82 00:04:39,480 --> 00:04:41,440 Speaker 1: you know, I mean that's appealing as well. Or I 83 00:04:41,440 --> 00:04:44,520 Speaker 1: mean I would have to assume that, say a place 84 00:04:44,560 --> 00:04:46,880 Speaker 1: like oh, I don't know, green Bay might be attractive 85 00:04:46,920 --> 00:04:51,200 Speaker 1: to him being from Wisconsin and also also a good team. Yeah, 86 00:04:51,240 --> 00:04:53,080 Speaker 1: there's three teams I think that will be linked to them. 87 00:04:53,080 --> 00:04:55,880 Speaker 1: They also don't any money either, um, because they would 88 00:04:55,880 --> 00:04:58,640 Speaker 1: be a super Bowl contender in its home. I guess 89 00:04:58,720 --> 00:05:01,520 Speaker 1: his wife I just heard this day. She's a soccer 90 00:05:01,560 --> 00:05:04,640 Speaker 1: player and the Chicago's team, right, so that would be 91 00:05:04,680 --> 00:05:08,600 Speaker 1: her team could use them. But quite frankly, I mean 92 00:05:08,640 --> 00:05:11,400 Speaker 1: there's the green Bay to Chicago is not I guess 93 00:05:11,440 --> 00:05:14,000 Speaker 1: it's not. It's pretty close to home. Yeah, I mean 94 00:05:14,000 --> 00:05:16,320 Speaker 1: I think all thirty two should have some interest because 95 00:05:16,320 --> 00:05:18,560 Speaker 1: he can do so many things, especially you're a contender. 96 00:05:18,839 --> 00:05:20,440 Speaker 1: But I would think those are the three that the 97 00:05:20,480 --> 00:05:23,360 Speaker 1: Watt fan like I've seen it, like Tony Grossi who 98 00:05:23,360 --> 00:05:27,360 Speaker 1: covers the Browns, um immediately put to it. Now this now, 99 00:05:27,360 --> 00:05:29,280 Speaker 1: it doesn't the Browns don't have to trade for him. 100 00:05:29,279 --> 00:05:32,400 Speaker 1: They can just go out and sign him. Maybe. I 101 00:05:32,480 --> 00:05:34,680 Speaker 1: just don't know that is he gonna want to do that? 102 00:05:35,160 --> 00:05:37,720 Speaker 1: I don't know. I mean it depends how important money 103 00:05:37,800 --> 00:05:40,200 Speaker 1: is versus other three teams. Here's how much he's made 104 00:05:40,320 --> 00:05:42,000 Speaker 1: over the course of his career. He's made a hundred 105 00:05:42,000 --> 00:05:44,839 Speaker 1: million dollars as a football as a football player in 106 00:05:44,880 --> 00:05:47,360 Speaker 1: ten years, plus the subway commercials. He doesn't know all 107 00:05:47,360 --> 00:05:51,800 Speaker 1: the all the national commercials that he does. So um. 108 00:05:51,839 --> 00:05:54,080 Speaker 1: You know, he's won three Defensive Player of the Year awards. 109 00:05:55,560 --> 00:05:59,560 Speaker 1: But if he goes somewhere like Cleveland, now he's going 110 00:05:59,640 --> 00:06:03,560 Speaker 1: to be the in or you know, Garrett would be 111 00:06:03,600 --> 00:06:07,120 Speaker 1: the man. But he's still gonna play a percent of 112 00:06:07,120 --> 00:06:09,320 Speaker 1: the time. Now, maybe maybe he still sees himself as 113 00:06:09,360 --> 00:06:13,200 Speaker 1: I can still do that. The problem is that, you 114 00:06:13,200 --> 00:06:17,120 Speaker 1: know if when he does do that then he breaks down. Yeah, 115 00:06:17,120 --> 00:06:20,160 Speaker 1: I think, yeah, I think that's a key. I mean, 116 00:06:21,200 --> 00:06:23,279 Speaker 1: if I'm the there's a lot of teams you could consider. 117 00:06:23,480 --> 00:06:26,080 Speaker 1: He did make it through all sixteen games this year 118 00:06:26,360 --> 00:06:28,240 Speaker 1: and played well, that was you know, he's he's done. 119 00:06:28,360 --> 00:06:31,200 Speaker 1: But he's only done that twice in the last five years. 120 00:06:32,080 --> 00:06:33,800 Speaker 1: In the other years that he didn't, he played eight, 121 00:06:33,920 --> 00:06:36,400 Speaker 1: he played five, he played four. There's had a lot 122 00:06:36,480 --> 00:06:40,280 Speaker 1: of major injuries, but he played. He played of the 123 00:06:40,320 --> 00:06:42,960 Speaker 1: snap this year for the Texans that was his career high. Actually, 124 00:06:43,080 --> 00:06:45,159 Speaker 1: I mean, I don't think he's going to Jacksonville or 125 00:06:45,160 --> 00:06:47,840 Speaker 1: Cincinnati or No, he's not just gonna go anywhere and 126 00:06:47,920 --> 00:06:50,240 Speaker 1: chase the money. That's that's the point, not and just 127 00:06:50,320 --> 00:06:52,880 Speaker 1: hang on and have bad final years. And you know, 128 00:06:53,440 --> 00:06:55,000 Speaker 1: I mean, if you look to Cleveland and thought they're 129 00:06:55,000 --> 00:06:57,200 Speaker 1: an upstar team, or you know, if you if you 130 00:06:57,320 --> 00:06:59,720 Speaker 1: if you thought that Cleveland had a chance to win 131 00:06:59,800 --> 00:07:02,320 Speaker 1: this Super Bowl. I don't see Cleveland Cleveland as a 132 00:07:02,360 --> 00:07:04,800 Speaker 1: Super Bowl team. I don't either, but I think some 133 00:07:04,839 --> 00:07:07,760 Speaker 1: people will. And you can play opposite Miles Garrett, that's 134 00:07:08,080 --> 00:07:10,400 Speaker 1: you know. I think that's kind of allowing and say, hey, 135 00:07:10,440 --> 00:07:12,600 Speaker 1: please draft one to help spell and I'll help them 136 00:07:12,640 --> 00:07:14,760 Speaker 1: bring along. I don't know. I mean, I don't think 137 00:07:14,760 --> 00:07:17,520 Speaker 1: it's the worst fit in the world. It's it's not. 138 00:07:18,240 --> 00:07:21,400 Speaker 1: Cleveland has twenty nine million dollars in cap space looking 139 00:07:21,440 --> 00:07:23,520 Speaker 1: at that, do they want to spend and they have 140 00:07:23,600 --> 00:07:27,840 Speaker 1: their entire we talked about this before. Basically everybody except 141 00:07:27,920 --> 00:07:32,160 Speaker 1: on their defense, except for Miles Garrett and Ward Denzel Ward, 142 00:07:33,080 --> 00:07:35,640 Speaker 1: of their prominence of their of their starters on defense 143 00:07:35,840 --> 00:07:38,240 Speaker 1: this year are going to be free agents. Yeah, they 144 00:07:38,280 --> 00:07:40,360 Speaker 1: have a lot of needs on defense, but includes to 145 00:07:40,360 --> 00:07:42,800 Speaker 1: Livy Vernon. I mean, they need another defensive end type. 146 00:07:42,960 --> 00:07:46,080 Speaker 1: So are you gonna spend I don't know, fourteen million 147 00:07:46,080 --> 00:07:48,240 Speaker 1: on J J. Watt. I don't think anybody's can spend 148 00:07:48,240 --> 00:07:50,680 Speaker 1: fourteen million on J. J. Watt. If you're Cleveland, you 149 00:07:50,760 --> 00:07:52,880 Speaker 1: might thinking that, you know, hey, this is gonna be 150 00:07:52,920 --> 00:07:56,400 Speaker 1: the weet. Okay, what if you get into a bidding 151 00:07:56,400 --> 00:07:58,240 Speaker 1: war form Now it's not it's going to cost you that, 152 00:07:58,480 --> 00:08:01,480 Speaker 1: and that might happen. I mean, there's no doubt in 153 00:08:01,560 --> 00:08:06,160 Speaker 1: my mind that whoever JJ's agent is has talked to 154 00:08:06,240 --> 00:08:09,720 Speaker 1: teams before today. You know that he the Texans and 155 00:08:09,760 --> 00:08:11,040 Speaker 1: him knew he was not gonna be a text in 156 00:08:11,080 --> 00:08:14,160 Speaker 1: this year, whether he officially and asked to re release 157 00:08:14,320 --> 00:08:16,880 Speaker 1: or not. They've tried to trade him. I'm sure behind 158 00:08:16,920 --> 00:08:18,600 Speaker 1: the scenes, and yew, they couldn't bring it back at 159 00:08:18,640 --> 00:08:21,480 Speaker 1: that money. The one team I've seen mentioned watch flatch 160 00:08:21,520 --> 00:08:23,440 Speaker 1: the Ravens on this one, and I was wondering about 161 00:08:23,440 --> 00:08:26,360 Speaker 1: that with what money money? They don't have any money either. 162 00:08:26,680 --> 00:08:29,360 Speaker 1: He doesn't exactly fit their edge profile either. I mean 163 00:08:29,400 --> 00:08:31,240 Speaker 1: he's a lot more like Lais Campbell and then you 164 00:08:31,320 --> 00:08:34,280 Speaker 1: want to dinosaurs, you know, investor, you got to almost 165 00:08:34,280 --> 00:08:37,520 Speaker 1: move on from Campbell to do that. I mean, how 166 00:08:37,520 --> 00:08:40,000 Speaker 1: about the chiefs or you know, I'm gonna saying my 167 00:08:40,080 --> 00:08:43,640 Speaker 1: good teams potentially, or you know, yeah, yeah, but the 168 00:08:43,679 --> 00:08:46,120 Speaker 1: chief said the Chiefs are over the count. Yeah, the 169 00:08:46,160 --> 00:08:47,679 Speaker 1: Bills would have a little space. They can cut some 170 00:08:47,760 --> 00:08:50,040 Speaker 1: guys in front seven. And again, a lot of teams 171 00:08:50,040 --> 00:08:52,959 Speaker 1: should be interested. That's what it's what's he's interested? What 172 00:08:53,400 --> 00:08:55,240 Speaker 1: what does he want it? That's the thing. It always 173 00:08:55,280 --> 00:08:58,520 Speaker 1: gets overlooked in these kind of situations, like when when 174 00:08:58,640 --> 00:09:01,600 Speaker 1: Leonard four Nette became the agent last year after nobody 175 00:09:01,640 --> 00:09:04,120 Speaker 1: claimed him. If he claimed him, it was gonna cost 176 00:09:04,160 --> 00:09:07,200 Speaker 1: you five million dollars against your cap. We ends up 177 00:09:07,240 --> 00:09:10,600 Speaker 1: signing with Tampa for two million, And then Steeler fans like, well, 178 00:09:10,600 --> 00:09:12,840 Speaker 1: the Steelers should have signed him, and look, could they 179 00:09:12,880 --> 00:09:14,920 Speaker 1: have used him? Absolutely? He was better than what they 180 00:09:14,960 --> 00:09:16,840 Speaker 1: played with for most of the year. Right, But did 181 00:09:16,920 --> 00:09:19,640 Speaker 1: he want to come here for two million dollars? More importantly, 182 00:09:19,640 --> 00:09:23,000 Speaker 1: apples apples to apples, did you want to come here 183 00:09:23,000 --> 00:09:25,160 Speaker 1: more than Tampa? Yeah, if you offered him two million dollars, 184 00:09:25,240 --> 00:09:27,200 Speaker 1: And Tampa offered him two million dollars. That doesn't mean 185 00:09:27,320 --> 00:09:30,679 Speaker 1: he's automatically coming to Pittsburgh, absolutely not. I mean, playing 186 00:09:30,720 --> 00:09:32,559 Speaker 1: with Tom Brady on what does it look like a 187 00:09:32,640 --> 00:09:34,520 Speaker 1: good team at that time and end up being right, 188 00:09:34,600 --> 00:09:37,440 Speaker 1: it's very appealing. I mean maybe even if you offered 189 00:09:37,520 --> 00:09:39,240 Speaker 1: him two point five million dollars, he might not have 190 00:09:39,280 --> 00:09:41,040 Speaker 1: come to Pittsburgh. With three million dollars, he might not 191 00:09:41,160 --> 00:09:42,960 Speaker 1: come to Pittsburgh, and then you could have just claimed him. 192 00:09:43,160 --> 00:09:46,440 Speaker 1: I'm sure what happened was, you know, he passes waivers 193 00:09:46,720 --> 00:09:49,240 Speaker 1: and the second he does, his agent phone phone blows 194 00:09:49,320 --> 00:09:51,920 Speaker 1: up with ten teams called we could use Leonard for 195 00:09:52,040 --> 00:09:54,400 Speaker 1: Nette for two million. Right, we have some caps based 196 00:09:54,440 --> 00:09:56,319 Speaker 1: laying around, and he says, well, Leonard, where do you 197 00:09:56,360 --> 00:09:58,480 Speaker 1: want to go? Right? Here's the team's interested? Which one 198 00:09:58,480 --> 00:10:01,840 Speaker 1: you've always played in the South? Um? You know, how 199 00:10:01,840 --> 00:10:03,679 Speaker 1: about we go to Tampa. That's that's not that far 200 00:10:03,720 --> 00:10:05,960 Speaker 1: off a move for you. It's still good, warm weather 201 00:10:06,160 --> 00:10:09,000 Speaker 1: and all like good stuff. They got this new quarterback 202 00:10:09,120 --> 00:10:11,280 Speaker 1: named Brady. Maybe you've heard of him. His buddies on 203 00:10:11,360 --> 00:10:13,360 Speaker 1: the team or what, you know, whatever the reason is, 204 00:10:13,480 --> 00:10:15,599 Speaker 1: you know, but yeah, these players get the pick of 205 00:10:15,600 --> 00:10:19,000 Speaker 1: their free agents. So in this instance, I will say 206 00:10:20,040 --> 00:10:22,120 Speaker 1: that the Steeler fans out there who were saying, well, 207 00:10:22,240 --> 00:10:24,520 Speaker 1: you know, maybe who want to play with his brothers? Yeah, 208 00:10:24,600 --> 00:10:27,360 Speaker 1: there might be a draw for that for sure, but 209 00:10:27,520 --> 00:10:29,679 Speaker 1: the Steelers. The Steelers aren't going to be able to 210 00:10:29,760 --> 00:10:32,360 Speaker 1: offer him ten million dollars a year. They can't even 211 00:10:32,400 --> 00:10:36,439 Speaker 1: offer him five million dollars a year as a rotational player. 212 00:10:37,040 --> 00:10:39,240 Speaker 1: I mean, if you would be involved in something like that, 213 00:10:39,320 --> 00:10:41,960 Speaker 1: does that mean that Lulu absolutely doesn't come back? That's 214 00:10:42,000 --> 00:10:44,200 Speaker 1: probably Yeah, that would be what you're looking at. I mean, 215 00:10:44,240 --> 00:10:46,599 Speaker 1: you're not gonna trade Cam or two it do this? 216 00:10:46,920 --> 00:10:48,760 Speaker 1: You know, so then you may is your three man line? 217 00:10:48,920 --> 00:10:52,679 Speaker 1: You are you bumping Cam to the nose? I think 218 00:10:52,720 --> 00:10:54,599 Speaker 1: you draft on that. Yeah, I think you're in the 219 00:10:54,640 --> 00:10:57,960 Speaker 1: market for a nose. Then yeah that changes your needs 220 00:10:58,400 --> 00:11:00,719 Speaker 1: and you don't worry about other defensive line. He just 221 00:11:00,800 --> 00:11:04,040 Speaker 1: rotate those three like crazy and sometimes playing together maybe 222 00:11:04,120 --> 00:11:06,319 Speaker 1: really intriguing. I mean all of us love it, but 223 00:11:06,440 --> 00:11:09,160 Speaker 1: it's all a huge If he wants to play what 224 00:11:09,320 --> 00:11:11,280 Speaker 1: he wants to, Yeah, what what does he want to do? 225 00:11:11,440 --> 00:11:14,160 Speaker 1: Is he willing to to? You know, again, we were 226 00:11:14,200 --> 00:11:17,559 Speaker 1: talking about resigning Tyson and Lulu on Wednesday, and I'm 227 00:11:17,600 --> 00:11:19,920 Speaker 1: you know, I'm thinking maybe he you know, he signed 228 00:11:19,960 --> 00:11:22,480 Speaker 1: him to a two year deal. That's he he counts 229 00:11:23,520 --> 00:11:26,319 Speaker 1: two million dollars against your cap this year. This year 230 00:11:27,120 --> 00:11:30,079 Speaker 1: is a little heavier. What should be fine. But j 231 00:11:30,280 --> 00:11:32,920 Speaker 1: J want going to take that deal just to play 232 00:11:32,960 --> 00:11:36,400 Speaker 1: with his brothers. He has to. That's the only way 233 00:11:36,440 --> 00:11:39,400 Speaker 1: it works, you know, wonderful. I mean, he'd be doing 234 00:11:39,520 --> 00:11:43,599 Speaker 1: this the town a favor. But the Steelers do have 235 00:11:43,720 --> 00:11:45,400 Speaker 1: a Trump card, to know, one else in the league does. 236 00:11:45,800 --> 00:11:48,319 Speaker 1: That's the only trump It's the only, only tru the 237 00:11:48,360 --> 00:11:50,480 Speaker 1: only Trump card they have. And they don't and they 238 00:11:50,520 --> 00:11:53,439 Speaker 1: don't stay at contrary to what the belief is among 239 00:11:53,520 --> 00:11:55,880 Speaker 1: many Steeler fans. They're gonna be in the mix. They're 240 00:11:55,880 --> 00:11:58,599 Speaker 1: gonna be in the mix. They don't stink. So I 241 00:11:58,720 --> 00:12:00,920 Speaker 1: know you did some work on this. I did with 242 00:12:01,679 --> 00:12:05,760 Speaker 1: TJ's contract, which obviously is hanging around. And frankly, Derek's 243 00:12:05,760 --> 00:12:09,360 Speaker 1: doesn't matter that much and he's kind of happy, should 244 00:12:09,360 --> 00:12:11,679 Speaker 1: be happy to be here. Could you go to the 245 00:12:11,760 --> 00:12:14,480 Speaker 1: Watt family and say I got this much for Watts, 246 00:12:14,920 --> 00:12:17,319 Speaker 1: you guys all go, this is my chuck money for 247 00:12:17,440 --> 00:12:19,160 Speaker 1: what you guys fight it out like you used to 248 00:12:19,280 --> 00:12:22,120 Speaker 1: his kids and uh, call subway and they can film 249 00:12:22,160 --> 00:12:23,840 Speaker 1: the whole thing. If they fought it out, my money 250 00:12:23,840 --> 00:12:27,839 Speaker 1: would still be on j J. Yeah, he's sixty pounds 251 00:12:27,880 --> 00:12:29,640 Speaker 1: heavier than the other two. They'd have to It would 252 00:12:29,640 --> 00:12:34,520 Speaker 1: be like a tag team, right. That's probably never occurred before. 253 00:12:34,559 --> 00:12:36,640 Speaker 1: They probably never both went after him at the same 254 00:12:36,720 --> 00:12:43,840 Speaker 1: time though with many fullbacks. Yeah, uh so I did. 255 00:12:43,960 --> 00:12:46,320 Speaker 1: Look it just worked out this way today that um, 256 00:12:46,559 --> 00:12:48,719 Speaker 1: you were doing this anyway. On my Friday Insider this 257 00:12:48,800 --> 00:12:50,960 Speaker 1: week that we do every week on d K Pittsburgh Sports, 258 00:12:51,679 --> 00:12:53,960 Speaker 1: I said, what would a potential if the Steelers want 259 00:12:54,000 --> 00:12:57,320 Speaker 1: to t J want today and said, hey, here, we're 260 00:12:57,320 --> 00:13:00,360 Speaker 1: gonna offer you a contract extension and people, so we 261 00:13:00,440 --> 00:13:02,520 Speaker 1: don't have any money, Well, here's the way you can 262 00:13:02,600 --> 00:13:05,480 Speaker 1: do this. You can make money though, Yeah, this is 263 00:13:05,480 --> 00:13:07,439 Speaker 1: the way you could do this. You probably save yourself 264 00:13:07,679 --> 00:13:10,400 Speaker 1: if if it doesn't come out as at least even 265 00:13:10,480 --> 00:13:12,000 Speaker 1: to what he's gonna be paid this year, you might 266 00:13:12,080 --> 00:13:15,559 Speaker 1: even save a little bit of money today's cap onto 267 00:13:15,640 --> 00:13:17,959 Speaker 1: on this year's cap. Then I'm all for it. Now 268 00:13:18,440 --> 00:13:21,520 Speaker 1: to the two big signings at the defensive end position, 269 00:13:21,600 --> 00:13:23,320 Speaker 1: the edge position, in the last two years have been 270 00:13:23,400 --> 00:13:28,400 Speaker 1: Joey Bosa and Myles Garrett, and those two contracts couldn't 271 00:13:28,559 --> 00:13:32,319 Speaker 1: be any differently. Even though Bosa signed a five year, 272 00:13:32,320 --> 00:13:34,400 Speaker 1: a hundred and thirty five million dollar contract, I know 273 00:13:34,480 --> 00:13:38,760 Speaker 1: the Chargers notoriously signed strange structured deals. Garrett signed five years, 274 00:13:38,760 --> 00:13:42,120 Speaker 1: a hundred and twenty five million dollars, so obviously Boss 275 00:13:42,200 --> 00:13:45,400 Speaker 1: is getting a little bit more. Um. When you look 276 00:13:45,559 --> 00:13:50,000 Speaker 1: at boss contract, it concluded seventy eight million dollars fully 277 00:13:50,040 --> 00:13:54,079 Speaker 1: guaranteed over how many years? Again five? Uh? It was. 278 00:13:54,440 --> 00:13:56,120 Speaker 1: It's not a bad spread out. That was with a 279 00:13:56,200 --> 00:13:58,720 Speaker 1: thirty five million dollars signing and a thirty five million 280 00:13:58,720 --> 00:14:01,960 Speaker 1: dollar signing bonus. Uh that averages out to twenty seven 281 00:14:02,000 --> 00:14:05,679 Speaker 1: million dollars a year. Garrett steal was five years, a 282 00:14:05,720 --> 00:14:12,160 Speaker 1: hundred twenty five As I said, Um, despite all everything, 283 00:14:12,480 --> 00:14:16,040 Speaker 1: the way Bosa's cap hit came in was fifteen million 284 00:14:16,120 --> 00:14:18,960 Speaker 1: dollars this year because he signed it in the preseason, 285 00:14:19,760 --> 00:14:25,000 Speaker 1: right um, Garrett's cap hit came in at ten point 286 00:14:25,040 --> 00:14:28,520 Speaker 1: one to six million, a five million dollar difference, even 287 00:14:28,560 --> 00:14:30,520 Speaker 1: though there was only ten million dollars difference in the 288 00:14:30,560 --> 00:14:32,520 Speaker 1: whole In the whole term of the contract, and it 289 00:14:32,640 --> 00:14:35,240 Speaker 1: came down to that guaranteed money. The Chargers gave Bosa 290 00:14:35,760 --> 00:14:39,440 Speaker 1: a roster bonus of seven million dollars last year in 291 00:14:39,520 --> 00:14:42,320 Speaker 1: addition to the thirty five million dollar signing bonus, and 292 00:14:42,400 --> 00:14:44,280 Speaker 1: he got a one million dollar salary. So they paid 293 00:14:44,320 --> 00:14:47,080 Speaker 1: out of pocket for Joey Bosa last year the forty 294 00:14:47,120 --> 00:14:52,240 Speaker 1: three million dollars an actual money out the door. Yeah. Um, 295 00:14:52,520 --> 00:14:55,680 Speaker 1: the Browns gave Garrett a signing bonus of twenty one million, 296 00:14:57,760 --> 00:15:00,480 Speaker 1: but they Garrett, they fully guaranteed a hundred million dollars 297 00:15:00,520 --> 00:15:03,400 Speaker 1: of that contract, which that's where you make up the 298 00:15:03,520 --> 00:15:06,320 Speaker 1: difference in the he's a smidge younger. Yeah, you know, 299 00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:10,520 Speaker 1: so when you look at that, Okay, So so yeah, 300 00:15:10,600 --> 00:15:15,120 Speaker 1: Bosa got thirty got got would I say, seventy eight 301 00:15:15,200 --> 00:15:19,520 Speaker 1: million dollars fully guaranteed. So the difference between that is 302 00:15:19,520 --> 00:15:21,960 Speaker 1: twenty two million dollars, which is right about the difference 303 00:15:22,040 --> 00:15:25,000 Speaker 1: between the signing bonus that Bosa got or what he 304 00:15:25,080 --> 00:15:27,600 Speaker 1: got out of pocket last year, and what Garrett got. 305 00:15:28,040 --> 00:15:30,920 Speaker 1: So they'll get the same amount they're gonna, yeah, basically 306 00:15:31,040 --> 00:15:33,960 Speaker 1: guaranteed just when you get it. But what that did, 307 00:15:34,040 --> 00:15:38,440 Speaker 1: though was make Garrett. Garrett's cap hit UH ten point 308 00:15:38,480 --> 00:15:41,000 Speaker 1: one to six million last year, which was the last year, 309 00:15:41,280 --> 00:15:44,000 Speaker 1: which is the last year of his rookie deal. This year, 310 00:15:44,280 --> 00:15:46,760 Speaker 1: the first year that deal kicks in his his cap 311 00:15:46,840 --> 00:15:50,480 Speaker 1: at his nine point three five two million. Wow, it's 312 00:15:50,800 --> 00:15:53,920 Speaker 1: very favorable of yeah, for what he is. And I 313 00:15:53,960 --> 00:15:56,400 Speaker 1: mean it's not a huge difference, but those two were 314 00:15:56,520 --> 00:16:00,240 Speaker 1: top four picks where what was a later first rounder. Yeah, 315 00:16:01,000 --> 00:16:03,280 Speaker 1: that really doesn't matter now the rookie doesn't go on, 316 00:16:04,240 --> 00:16:05,920 Speaker 1: but you could do that. You could work out this 317 00:16:06,120 --> 00:16:11,400 Speaker 1: deal so that again, uh, watch salary this year is 318 00:16:11,560 --> 00:16:14,440 Speaker 1: ten points I think oh eight or something like that 319 00:16:15,000 --> 00:16:18,360 Speaker 1: million base salary, which again is a steal for what 320 00:16:18,440 --> 00:16:22,400 Speaker 1: you're getting. If you go to him now and you 321 00:16:22,560 --> 00:16:26,440 Speaker 1: offer him more of a fully guaranteed contract you could get. 322 00:16:26,560 --> 00:16:28,760 Speaker 1: You can say, hey, we're gonna you know, we're only 323 00:16:28,800 --> 00:16:31,280 Speaker 1: gonna off you, like, how would you structure it. We're 324 00:16:31,320 --> 00:16:33,760 Speaker 1: gonna say four or five years if you know. If 325 00:16:33,800 --> 00:16:36,200 Speaker 1: it's four years, again, you go with that same lower 326 00:16:36,320 --> 00:16:38,720 Speaker 1: signing bonus, but you guarantee more of the money. Typically 327 00:16:38,760 --> 00:16:42,600 Speaker 1: they've only done that with Roethlisberger quarterback, but considering where 328 00:16:42,600 --> 00:16:45,600 Speaker 1: their cap is and we're that's what gets you the 329 00:16:45,680 --> 00:16:48,720 Speaker 1: most long term cap relief. I mean, it only hurts 330 00:16:48,720 --> 00:16:52,160 Speaker 1: you if he gets injured or something and I can't 331 00:16:52,160 --> 00:16:54,520 Speaker 1: play anymore. I mean basically, you're still giving him guarantee 332 00:16:54,520 --> 00:16:56,840 Speaker 1: money no matter what. Just depends when it depends on 333 00:16:56,960 --> 00:16:59,600 Speaker 1: how you want to give it to him. Maybe that 334 00:16:59,760 --> 00:17:02,080 Speaker 1: is a Martt moved to do. Now. It's kind of 335 00:17:02,160 --> 00:17:05,800 Speaker 1: what they did with Cam Hayward. Cam Haywards contract that 336 00:17:05,880 --> 00:17:09,720 Speaker 1: he signed before last year. That the contract extension, his 337 00:17:10,359 --> 00:17:13,280 Speaker 1: salary the next two seasons is only like four million dollars. 338 00:17:14,320 --> 00:17:17,760 Speaker 1: But you know, I'm not gonna be Oh, you're gonna 339 00:17:17,760 --> 00:17:20,040 Speaker 1: get caught. He's probably gonna be here. But the last 340 00:17:20,080 --> 00:17:22,520 Speaker 1: two years of that contract, his salary jumps up to like, 341 00:17:22,760 --> 00:17:25,360 Speaker 1: you know, a seventeen million in both of those two years. 342 00:17:25,520 --> 00:17:27,440 Speaker 1: It's really a three year dealing. Maybe he doesn't see that. 343 00:17:27,480 --> 00:17:29,240 Speaker 1: If he's still playing at a high level, yes, he 344 00:17:29,320 --> 00:17:32,760 Speaker 1: sees that. If he's not, yeah, or if the Caps yeah, 345 00:17:34,200 --> 00:17:36,399 Speaker 1: and you know everyone's making that, but this was the 346 00:17:37,000 --> 00:17:38,879 Speaker 1: he's not going to see that. This was the sticking 347 00:17:39,000 --> 00:17:42,920 Speaker 1: point with for example, lev On Bell the Steelers. You know, 348 00:17:42,960 --> 00:17:45,280 Speaker 1: they weren't offering him a big signing bonus and and 349 00:17:45,440 --> 00:17:48,240 Speaker 1: very little guaranteed money. But if you're running back and 350 00:17:48,520 --> 00:17:50,480 Speaker 1: and he kept saying, well, that just means you could 351 00:17:50,480 --> 00:17:53,680 Speaker 1: cut me after you know, three years of this thing. Yeah, 352 00:17:54,720 --> 00:17:57,440 Speaker 1: they're not gonna cut. But they're not gonna cut T. J. 353 00:17:57,600 --> 00:18:01,120 Speaker 1: Watt because the physicians are much different. You know, they're 354 00:18:01,119 --> 00:18:04,000 Speaker 1: probably both playing at an equal level when they ask 355 00:18:04,119 --> 00:18:06,520 Speaker 1: for the contract. But what's going to be on the 356 00:18:06,640 --> 00:18:10,159 Speaker 1: team four more years? He's still young. He'd have to 357 00:18:10,280 --> 00:18:14,280 Speaker 1: fall off dramatically, dramatically dramatically right or get hit with 358 00:18:14,359 --> 00:18:17,520 Speaker 1: injuries like his brother did to even consider it. And 359 00:18:17,640 --> 00:18:20,639 Speaker 1: even then the caps will be higher. So so I 360 00:18:20,680 --> 00:18:22,760 Speaker 1: think it's something that's worth exploring if you can get 361 00:18:22,840 --> 00:18:25,480 Speaker 1: what at the same number that he's at now, or 362 00:18:25,520 --> 00:18:27,560 Speaker 1: even a little bit lower, even if it's even if 363 00:18:27,600 --> 00:18:31,240 Speaker 1: you're only saving five dollars or a million dollars. But 364 00:18:31,280 --> 00:18:32,680 Speaker 1: then you don't have to worry about that ever again 365 00:18:32,720 --> 00:18:35,960 Speaker 1: either too, because until next year, yeah, you only have 366 00:18:36,119 --> 00:18:39,840 Speaker 1: two starters under contract on your defense going into after 367 00:18:39,960 --> 00:18:43,240 Speaker 1: this season. Well, he's one of the ones that you want. 368 00:18:43,480 --> 00:18:46,639 Speaker 1: He's the most important one. Um, do you wanna do 369 00:18:46,680 --> 00:18:49,000 Speaker 1: you want to have to say next year, well, we 370 00:18:49,080 --> 00:18:51,520 Speaker 1: got we got twenty seven free agents that we want 371 00:18:51,560 --> 00:18:53,560 Speaker 1: to sign, but we gotta get t J signed first. No, 372 00:18:53,680 --> 00:18:55,440 Speaker 1: you'd love to get that not locked up out of 373 00:18:55,480 --> 00:18:58,080 Speaker 1: the way. And I always believe it's a really good 374 00:18:58,160 --> 00:19:02,920 Speaker 1: message when someone's an elite player that the team financed. 375 00:19:02,920 --> 00:19:04,760 Speaker 1: Everyone knows what everybody makes you know, I mean, it's 376 00:19:04,760 --> 00:19:08,560 Speaker 1: not hard to find that you financially back that when 377 00:19:08,640 --> 00:19:11,440 Speaker 1: they deserve it, you don't drag them along. It's a 378 00:19:11,520 --> 00:19:14,280 Speaker 1: good message to the locker room for sure. You'd play 379 00:19:14,320 --> 00:19:16,560 Speaker 1: like t J, we're keeping you around and will reward you. 380 00:19:16,760 --> 00:19:19,800 Speaker 1: And I assume the what brothers all the same agents? 381 00:19:20,160 --> 00:19:24,760 Speaker 1: They do not know they do each their own. I 382 00:19:24,840 --> 00:19:27,960 Speaker 1: think I think j J and Derek had the same agent. 383 00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:31,040 Speaker 1: I think t J has a separate one. I looked 384 00:19:31,040 --> 00:19:34,800 Speaker 1: at it. I looked that up. I do weird stuff 385 00:19:34,800 --> 00:19:38,120 Speaker 1: at time, just sitting around. Okay, I was actually going 386 00:19:38,200 --> 00:19:41,399 Speaker 1: through the Steelers free agents or potential free agents and 387 00:19:42,160 --> 00:19:44,920 Speaker 1: figuring out who's who had what agents? Uh, you know, 388 00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:47,399 Speaker 1: So when I started calling guys and that kind of stuff, 389 00:19:47,680 --> 00:19:49,240 Speaker 1: and I noticed that, I'm like, they don't have the 390 00:19:49,280 --> 00:19:50,960 Speaker 1: same agent. And then I look to see who JJ's 391 00:19:50,960 --> 00:19:53,520 Speaker 1: agent was, and speaking of weird things, that were meaning 392 00:19:53,560 --> 00:19:55,639 Speaker 1: to bring this up and you and Labs laughed at me. 393 00:19:56,040 --> 00:19:58,520 Speaker 1: But Labs gave me a project for Steelers Digest that 394 00:19:58,680 --> 00:20:01,920 Speaker 1: the eighteen free agent write a little something on them. 395 00:20:02,359 --> 00:20:04,680 Speaker 1: And I'm part of the deal, was right, their birthday 396 00:20:04,800 --> 00:20:08,040 Speaker 1: and age and all that stuff. And you've been waiting 397 00:20:08,080 --> 00:20:10,720 Speaker 1: for this one. I've been waiting for you a way 398 00:20:10,800 --> 00:20:13,200 Speaker 1: that you guys weren't. Like, Wow, that's really impressive, Matt. 399 00:20:13,720 --> 00:20:17,240 Speaker 1: Of the eight team free agents, six of them, two 400 00:20:17,280 --> 00:20:21,160 Speaker 1: pair or three pairs all share the same birthday, which 401 00:20:21,240 --> 00:20:23,359 Speaker 1: is what's the chances are street art five days in 402 00:20:23,359 --> 00:20:24,800 Speaker 1: the year with the chances that two of them do 403 00:20:24,960 --> 00:20:27,359 Speaker 1: let alone, three different pairs, and two of them are 404 00:20:27,400 --> 00:20:29,840 Speaker 1: on Christmas Day? How about that. It's just a little 405 00:20:29,880 --> 00:20:32,639 Speaker 1: nugget for all you people. They'll probably never play again together. 406 00:20:32,760 --> 00:20:36,040 Speaker 1: But I was a little blown away. I keep writing twelve, twelve, 407 00:20:36,080 --> 00:20:38,920 Speaker 1: twenty five next to these guys, and I'm like, birthday 408 00:20:38,960 --> 00:20:40,840 Speaker 1: is familiar. So that's the end of that. But I 409 00:20:40,920 --> 00:20:42,240 Speaker 1: just want to throw that out there. It's been on 410 00:20:42,320 --> 00:20:44,199 Speaker 1: my cranium for a while. Now you got it out 411 00:20:44,240 --> 00:20:46,400 Speaker 1: there now, Yeah, But let's talk to the wat boys 412 00:20:46,440 --> 00:20:49,200 Speaker 1: if they wanted in the bottom line, if JJ wants 413 00:20:49,200 --> 00:20:51,240 Speaker 1: to play for next to nothing, he certainly can. J 414 00:20:51,400 --> 00:20:54,640 Speaker 1: J will be able to pick his spot. Yeah, that's 415 00:20:54,680 --> 00:20:56,520 Speaker 1: the that's the long and short of it. It's along 416 00:20:56,600 --> 00:20:58,920 Speaker 1: short of it. Um, you know. So what it's gonna 417 00:20:58,960 --> 00:21:02,359 Speaker 1: come down to then? Does JJ is the draw of 418 00:21:02,520 --> 00:21:06,760 Speaker 1: playing with his brothers? Now? Is that something that he 419 00:21:06,880 --> 00:21:09,360 Speaker 1: wants to do? His parents would say a lot in playfair, 420 00:21:09,640 --> 00:21:11,600 Speaker 1: they would, They don't They should be able to go 421 00:21:11,680 --> 00:21:14,679 Speaker 1: to just one game, set him up a little apartment 422 00:21:14,720 --> 00:21:18,280 Speaker 1: here or something too. Yeah, you know, and tell t 423 00:21:18,440 --> 00:21:21,280 Speaker 1: J he can pick up the steak tabs and stuff too, 424 00:21:21,359 --> 00:21:23,360 Speaker 1: and you pay for and play for nothing for one year. 425 00:21:24,080 --> 00:21:25,840 Speaker 1: But that's the only way he's gonna happened from Yeah, 426 00:21:25,840 --> 00:21:27,600 Speaker 1: I mean that, that's that's the only way it can happen. 427 00:21:27,920 --> 00:21:30,080 Speaker 1: It has to be a situation where he is willing 428 00:21:30,840 --> 00:21:34,480 Speaker 1: to take way less than what he would get if 429 00:21:34,520 --> 00:21:37,399 Speaker 1: he was just on the open market. Um, so that 430 00:21:38,040 --> 00:21:40,080 Speaker 1: maybe he will. We don't know, right, Yeah, I don't 431 00:21:40,480 --> 00:21:42,280 Speaker 1: see why he would. I would consider if I were 432 00:21:42,320 --> 00:21:47,080 Speaker 1: in issues like shoes to be in they are absolutely absolutely, Um, 433 00:21:47,680 --> 00:21:50,359 Speaker 1: would you take a Would you take a shot if 434 00:21:50,359 --> 00:21:53,000 Speaker 1: you're the Steelers resigning t J now as opposed to 435 00:21:53,040 --> 00:21:55,719 Speaker 1: waiting the next year. Yeah, the way you laid it out, absolutely, 436 00:21:55,960 --> 00:21:58,520 Speaker 1: I mean I think it would. When you see a 437 00:21:58,560 --> 00:22:01,399 Speaker 1: lot of people leaving the building, including the Pouncis of 438 00:22:01,440 --> 00:22:04,159 Speaker 1: the world, I think it's a very good message. You 439 00:22:04,240 --> 00:22:07,000 Speaker 1: know that this is a foundational player. I know this 440 00:22:07,160 --> 00:22:09,960 Speaker 1: is a weird year for zooms and whatnot, but he 441 00:22:10,119 --> 00:22:13,240 Speaker 1: sure seemed to step up as a leader, as a 442 00:22:13,960 --> 00:22:17,080 Speaker 1: media guy, as a face of the team. And if 443 00:22:17,119 --> 00:22:18,920 Speaker 1: I can even save half a million dollars in this 444 00:22:19,040 --> 00:22:21,640 Speaker 1: year's calf, great we needed. The other thing that does 445 00:22:21,760 --> 00:22:24,200 Speaker 1: for you, is it then frees up your franchise tag 446 00:22:24,320 --> 00:22:27,360 Speaker 1: next year? Good point? Good point, because again, you don't 447 00:22:27,400 --> 00:22:29,440 Speaker 1: want to have to use that. Yeah you're gonna have 448 00:22:29,800 --> 00:22:31,320 Speaker 1: don't like it. Yeah, you're gonna have a bunch of 449 00:22:31,400 --> 00:22:34,040 Speaker 1: guys who are potentially heading in the free agency next year. 450 00:22:34,560 --> 00:22:36,360 Speaker 1: And let's say you you want to use that tag 451 00:22:36,440 --> 00:22:39,960 Speaker 1: on safeties. Aren't bad team position to franchise you know? Yeah, 452 00:22:40,160 --> 00:22:42,040 Speaker 1: and something like that. No, Yeah, I think it makes 453 00:22:42,080 --> 00:22:45,000 Speaker 1: perfect sense. So, yeah, it would not surprise me if 454 00:22:45,040 --> 00:22:48,680 Speaker 1: the Steelers at some point approach that this offseason. Unfortunately, 455 00:22:48,680 --> 00:22:50,800 Speaker 1: it doesn't give you a lot of capperie for this year, 456 00:22:51,440 --> 00:22:53,639 Speaker 1: but it could It could even be something that you 457 00:22:53,720 --> 00:22:56,840 Speaker 1: wait and do before training camp. Um, you know, one 458 00:22:56,880 --> 00:22:59,280 Speaker 1: of those type deals because again, the savings aren't enough 459 00:22:59,400 --> 00:23:02,040 Speaker 1: that it's going to say, oh wow, you know, and 460 00:23:02,080 --> 00:23:03,679 Speaker 1: one guy. But it does free up a little bit 461 00:23:03,720 --> 00:23:07,200 Speaker 1: of cash for the regular season. No, you know that 462 00:23:07,320 --> 00:23:10,920 Speaker 1: that's essentially you know, Kevin Colbert said he he wants 463 00:23:10,960 --> 00:23:14,000 Speaker 1: to take Gary likes to take now an additional five 464 00:23:14,040 --> 00:23:16,440 Speaker 1: million dollars into the start of the season, because that's 465 00:23:16,800 --> 00:23:21,080 Speaker 1: making five roster moves. Um. Actually, I think it's I 466 00:23:21,119 --> 00:23:22,760 Speaker 1: think he said he likes enough to have to make 467 00:23:22,800 --> 00:23:24,720 Speaker 1: be able to make ten roster moves over the course 468 00:23:24,760 --> 00:23:29,400 Speaker 1: of the season, and those things get more expensive. Yeah, 469 00:23:29,440 --> 00:23:34,800 Speaker 1: you need stuff. Yeah, Um, so you know, five million 470 00:23:34,880 --> 00:23:37,280 Speaker 1: dollars is the minimum that you need to have a 471 00:23:37,640 --> 00:23:40,560 Speaker 1: sign your draft pick and that's already fielding fifty three 472 00:23:40,640 --> 00:23:43,280 Speaker 1: and all that stuff too. Yeah, so that that could 473 00:23:43,280 --> 00:23:44,960 Speaker 1: be a move that helps him there at least free 474 00:23:45,040 --> 00:23:47,159 Speaker 1: up a little bit of cash to going into the 475 00:23:47,240 --> 00:23:51,160 Speaker 1: season and you know you're gonna have to next year 476 00:23:51,280 --> 00:23:54,639 Speaker 1: pick it make that decision. Next year gets gets really interesting. 477 00:23:54,680 --> 00:23:56,240 Speaker 1: You g gotta pick up that fift year option, not 478 00:23:56,320 --> 00:23:58,560 Speaker 1: only a make up his Patrick, but Terrell Edmans as well. 479 00:23:59,119 --> 00:24:01,400 Speaker 1: We covered that a few weeks ago with the difference there, 480 00:24:01,440 --> 00:24:04,440 Speaker 1: and that money's going to that year. Yeah, the same 481 00:24:04,480 --> 00:24:05,959 Speaker 1: as if you were a draft You've had to make 482 00:24:06,000 --> 00:24:10,040 Speaker 1: a very cheap over the last couple of years. I mean, 483 00:24:10,200 --> 00:24:12,280 Speaker 1: not that you need it, but you do that extension 484 00:24:12,320 --> 00:24:15,760 Speaker 1: with t J. The Watt families and really happy with 485 00:24:15,880 --> 00:24:19,040 Speaker 1: the Steelers. Mama says, we love that organization. JJ. You 486 00:24:19,080 --> 00:24:21,880 Speaker 1: should go there. Yeah. Anything anything you can get JJ 487 00:24:22,040 --> 00:24:25,199 Speaker 1: here a little easier, I'm all for. Yeah. So we'll 488 00:24:25,240 --> 00:24:27,640 Speaker 1: see how that works out. I'm sure that it'll it'll 489 00:24:27,680 --> 00:24:30,600 Speaker 1: continue to be a hot topic. Um, I promise you. 490 00:24:30,720 --> 00:24:33,080 Speaker 1: JJ's agent stock to many teams in the last month. 491 00:24:33,480 --> 00:24:35,840 Speaker 1: It's not just all of his agents, Tom Condon. He's 492 00:24:35,880 --> 00:24:38,520 Speaker 1: no rookie, He's he's been around the block quite a bit. 493 00:24:38,600 --> 00:24:42,200 Speaker 1: Tom is very well versed and uh with a number 494 00:24:42,240 --> 00:24:45,240 Speaker 1: of teams and uh so that's gonna be something to 495 00:24:45,359 --> 00:24:48,160 Speaker 1: keep it with. The nice thing about it is, though, 496 00:24:48,280 --> 00:24:52,040 Speaker 1: since he was released, doesn't cost anything compics. Yeah, right, right, 497 00:24:52,400 --> 00:24:57,440 Speaker 1: that's huge. That's huge. Um, yeah, he could sign, he 498 00:24:57,440 --> 00:24:59,399 Speaker 1: could sign tomorrow with somebody and it doesn't hurt the 499 00:24:59,440 --> 00:25:02,600 Speaker 1: colle wrong. Yeah, he's people gonna begging to get him. Yeah, 500 00:25:02,840 --> 00:25:04,600 Speaker 1: and then I got some teams offer him a lot. 501 00:25:04,640 --> 00:25:07,000 Speaker 1: There will be big market for J. J. Watt. I 502 00:25:07,040 --> 00:25:08,560 Speaker 1: mean if I'm just staying with some teams that have 503 00:25:08,920 --> 00:25:12,720 Speaker 1: caps face like the Patriots and the Colts, that think 504 00:25:12,760 --> 00:25:14,600 Speaker 1: they're good whether they are or not, New England, and 505 00:25:14,720 --> 00:25:17,440 Speaker 1: that's what I'm talking about. I get my pretty decent 506 00:25:18,840 --> 00:25:20,760 Speaker 1: Just the cults have watched him over the last ten 507 00:25:20,880 --> 00:25:24,080 Speaker 1: years wreck their season year after the year and oh, 508 00:25:24,160 --> 00:25:26,919 Speaker 1: by the way, they're not bringing back justin Houston. They 509 00:25:26,960 --> 00:25:28,840 Speaker 1: could use the defensive end and put it next to 510 00:25:28,880 --> 00:25:32,120 Speaker 1: Buckinger on throwing down right, Yeah, it could be dangerous. Yeah, 511 00:25:32,160 --> 00:25:34,280 Speaker 1: now you've now you've actually got something there. You still 512 00:25:34,280 --> 00:25:38,320 Speaker 1: don't have a quarterback. No, but yeah he did get better. 513 00:25:39,119 --> 00:25:42,119 Speaker 1: That to me. You know the whole thing with with 514 00:25:42,359 --> 00:25:46,040 Speaker 1: wat T J. Watt and make of Fitzpatrick and Cam 515 00:25:46,160 --> 00:25:49,280 Speaker 1: Hayward and you know the rest of that defense. When 516 00:25:49,320 --> 00:25:51,440 Speaker 1: people talk about the Steelers, well they're not gonna be 517 00:25:51,440 --> 00:25:56,480 Speaker 1: any good. Why do we think this defense isn't gonna 518 00:25:56,480 --> 00:25:58,960 Speaker 1: be great? You were eight and eight without Ben Roethlisberger, 519 00:25:59,240 --> 00:26:02,240 Speaker 1: with two core her backs making their their NFL debut 520 00:26:02,840 --> 00:26:05,439 Speaker 1: two years ago. With that defense. Why do you think 521 00:26:05,480 --> 00:26:07,760 Speaker 1: it's gonna be suddenly fall apart and you're gonna they're 522 00:26:07,760 --> 00:26:11,960 Speaker 1: gonna go six and ten? Right? I mean, I don't 523 00:26:12,000 --> 00:26:14,280 Speaker 1: get it. Do you think the defense will be worse 524 00:26:14,440 --> 00:26:17,840 Speaker 1: next year than this year? I'll be in the same tier. Yeah, 525 00:26:17,880 --> 00:26:20,880 Speaker 1: it still it maybe take a step backwards, it's still 526 00:26:20,920 --> 00:26:23,320 Speaker 1: gonna be a top ten defense in the NFL. They're 527 00:26:23,320 --> 00:26:25,560 Speaker 1: still gonna rush the pass or well, yeah, they're still 528 00:26:25,560 --> 00:26:27,080 Speaker 1: gonna make plays on that side of the ball. I 529 00:26:27,160 --> 00:26:29,560 Speaker 1: still think t J Watch to me, hasn't even still 530 00:26:29,800 --> 00:26:32,479 Speaker 1: still hasn't reached his peak. Highsmith will be better than 531 00:26:32,520 --> 00:26:36,600 Speaker 1: he was. Fitzpatrick still hasn't. He still hasn't hit his peak, right, 532 00:26:36,680 --> 00:26:39,119 Speaker 1: I mean, these these are guys who are sending young players. 533 00:26:39,200 --> 00:26:42,000 Speaker 1: That's why when you talk when people talk about blowing 534 00:26:42,080 --> 00:26:44,040 Speaker 1: it up, how do you blow it up and go 535 00:26:44,160 --> 00:26:46,439 Speaker 1: to those defensive guys say hey, guys, we're gonna rebuild, 536 00:26:46,440 --> 00:26:49,359 Speaker 1: We're gonna we're gonna try and win. People don't seem 537 00:26:49,359 --> 00:26:53,080 Speaker 1: to recognize it, but Edmonds was a lot better this 538 00:26:53,200 --> 00:26:54,600 Speaker 1: year than he was the last couple of years. It 539 00:26:54,640 --> 00:26:58,320 Speaker 1: gets overshadowed because they have so many stars on the seventies. 540 00:26:58,400 --> 00:27:00,480 Speaker 1: D you forget how good these guys are, or he 541 00:27:00,600 --> 00:27:02,320 Speaker 1: got a lot better this year, Why isn't he going 542 00:27:02,359 --> 00:27:03,919 Speaker 1: to get a little better or play at least at 543 00:27:03,920 --> 00:27:06,560 Speaker 1: the same level. His coverage to me, was much What 544 00:27:06,640 --> 00:27:08,800 Speaker 1: if he takes a step another step from where he 545 00:27:08,920 --> 00:27:11,280 Speaker 1: went two years ago to this year, it takes that 546 00:27:11,480 --> 00:27:14,280 Speaker 1: that step again next year, like you know, we we 547 00:27:15,400 --> 00:27:17,920 Speaker 1: and I don't love the Pro Football Focus grades. No, 548 00:27:18,359 --> 00:27:20,840 Speaker 1: but Pro Football Focus had him graded is like the 549 00:27:20,920 --> 00:27:23,640 Speaker 1: twentieth best safety in the league. People around here don't 550 00:27:23,640 --> 00:27:28,480 Speaker 1: recognize that he's because he's not Manka. It goes back 551 00:27:28,520 --> 00:27:30,480 Speaker 1: to the argument we had with with Pouncy when you 552 00:27:30,520 --> 00:27:33,240 Speaker 1: compare him to to Dawson and you know, and I 553 00:27:33,359 --> 00:27:35,560 Speaker 1: bet they find some rookie on defense that helps the 554 00:27:35,640 --> 00:27:37,439 Speaker 1: team too. You know, as long as you don't get 555 00:27:37,560 --> 00:27:39,639 Speaker 1: rushed by injuries. I mean, if they if Cam and 556 00:27:39,680 --> 00:27:42,240 Speaker 1: t J Are out for the year, yeah that's any team. Yeah, 557 00:27:42,240 --> 00:27:46,520 Speaker 1: that's every team. But assuming you know the same level 558 00:27:46,640 --> 00:27:49,960 Speaker 1: of health or you know, similar. I think the offense 559 00:27:50,040 --> 00:27:52,280 Speaker 1: is gonna be a top notch unit. Should be. I mean, 560 00:27:52,320 --> 00:27:54,159 Speaker 1: there's there's no reason to think that it won't. I 561 00:27:54,240 --> 00:27:56,040 Speaker 1: can't believe that the offense won't be better than it 562 00:27:56,119 --> 00:27:58,240 Speaker 1: was last year too. Yeah, I mean again, you had 563 00:27:58,359 --> 00:28:00,639 Speaker 1: if you add a running back to that equation, a 564 00:28:00,800 --> 00:28:04,800 Speaker 1: true you know, I'm not even talking about a top 565 00:28:05,600 --> 00:28:08,560 Speaker 1: and running back. If he's a If they had the 566 00:28:08,600 --> 00:28:10,879 Speaker 1: worst running game in the league last year, if that, 567 00:28:11,080 --> 00:28:13,919 Speaker 1: if that again, if that's league average, if they if 568 00:28:13,960 --> 00:28:16,800 Speaker 1: they improved that by twenty yards a game, oh, that 569 00:28:16,840 --> 00:28:19,840 Speaker 1: would be It's a massive ripple effect. It also makes 570 00:28:19,880 --> 00:28:22,880 Speaker 1: your defense better, by the way. Um, and I think 571 00:28:22,920 --> 00:28:24,720 Speaker 1: Ben would be a lot more efficient if he threw 572 00:28:24,800 --> 00:28:27,639 Speaker 1: less passes to you know, and you're just harder to 573 00:28:27,680 --> 00:28:31,240 Speaker 1: play against. Yep, yep, I agree. Um, but that is 574 00:28:31,280 --> 00:28:33,360 Speaker 1: going to do it for this show. So I want 575 00:28:33,359 --> 00:28:36,879 Speaker 1: to thank my partner Matt Williamson for another good segment 576 00:28:36,960 --> 00:28:39,239 Speaker 1: here of The Drive on Steelers Nation Radio, and thank 577 00:28:39,360 --> 00:28:41,520 Speaker 1: Jacob rec for keeping us on the air as he 578 00:28:41,600 --> 00:28:43,800 Speaker 1: always does. And we want to thank you for listening 579 00:28:43,840 --> 00:28:47,440 Speaker 1: to this edition of The Drive on Steelers Nation Radio.