Still Curtain
FanSided

Primanti Brothers make an offer to the Watt brothers if Steelers sign J.J. Watt

By Michelle Kotts

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 27: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans in action alongside Chukwuma Okorafor #76 of the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 27, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 27: J.J. Watt #99 of the Houston Texans in action alongside Chukwuma Okorafor #76 of the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 27, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Opening soon in the Hershey Towne Square retail development, the Pittsburgh-based sandwich chain is famous for putting French fries IN the sandwich.
Opening soon in the Hershey Towne Square retail development, the Pittsburgh-based sandwich chain is famous for putting French fries IN the sandwich. /

Watt Brothers

Following JJ’s release from the Texans, Primanti Brothers had an idea that might prevent other teams from signing JJ Watt. Obviously, they think JJ Watt in a Steelers uniform would not only be good for the Steelers but a good business idea. So they made an offer to the Watt brothers. If JJ signs with the Steelers, they will rename their restaurant Watt Brothers. It certainly has a ring to it. And who wouldn’t want to get themselves a Watt Brothers sandwich on that fresh Italian bread, tomatoes, coleslaw, french-fries, your choice of meat, and provolone cheese? People would be lining up to get one every game day. It’s a great idea and certainly makes the Steelers a contender to land JJ Watt.

However, before that happens, the Steelers actually have to sign JJ Watt first. That may not be so simple. Anyone who signs JJ Watt will need to give him a hefty contract.  Plus, there is no shortage of teams that may make ludicrous offers. Aside from the Steelers, JJ Watt will more than likely receive offers from the Browns, Bills, or Titans. Other teams who might throw their hat in the ring to land JJ Watt could be Tampa Bay, Cowboys, Packers, Ravens, and even the Bears are considered a possibility.

The multi teams interested in JJ Watt poses a problem for the Steelers. Aside from trying to sign JJ Watt, have 19 unrestricted free agents. Plus, Ben Roethlisberger’s contract may hit the salary cap with 41.25 Million. So if they want to sign JJ Watt, the Steelers must comply with the league salary cap. They have to do this within the next few weeks. If that’s not bad enough, Pouncy and Mcdonald’s retirements will cost the Steelers almost $10 million towards the salary cap. So the Steelers have a lot of work to do.

We know the Steelers are currently working on restructuring Roethlisberger’s contract to free up money towards the salary cap. Some rumors suggest a four-year contract extension to help alleviate the cap hit, which could save the Steelers in the neighborhood of $15 million. If they get that done, then the Steelers will probably look at giving two or three other players contract extensions with the hopes of adding additional space under the cap. The Steelers could save another $11 million by restructuring Cam Heyward and Stephon Tuitt’s contract.  That said, another option is terminating someone’s contract as well. It’s not beyond the Steelers to send someone packing. Once the Steelers do those things, they will look at which free agents to re-sign or let go, including possibly making an offer to JJ Watt.

Home/Steelers Free Agency