Nick Sirianni Declares He’ll Walk Away From T.J. Watt Pursuit Over Sky-High Price
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni is pressing the brakes on the swirling rumors linking his team to All-Pro edge rusher T.J. Watt. According to sources, the catch isn’t talent — it’s the price.
Watt, a four-time All-Pro with 108 career sacks, is seeking a contract on par with league leaders like Myles Garrett, who recently inked a mammoth deal worth around $40 million annually. That’s a massive jump from Watt’s existing average of approximately $28 million per year.
Why the Eagles Won’t Chase Watt… (For Now)
Contract Demands Are Off the Charts
Watt’s camp is negotiating for a mega-deal — and for good reason. He’s a game-changer. But the Eagles value cap flexibility and prefer strategic investments elsewhere.
Steelers Want to Keep Him
Pittsburgh hasn’t publicly entertained trade offers. Their intent is to sign Watt to a new deal and keep their defensive anchor intact. That means any trade would require meeting a rare ballplayer-package and massive contract.
Philly’s Defensive Plan B
The Eagles have proactively developed their depth chart, winning big in the draft and signing complementary edge rushers. A mega-investment in Watt would disrupt that balance — and Sirianni clearly wants to stay on track.
Nurse, Not Overhaul
Let’s be clear: Watt is still respect in Philly. But from an organizational view, the price isn’t worth disrupting what they’ve built.
Sirianni knows his defense functions around preparation, scheme, and depth — not just one superstar. If Pittsburgh digs in on Watt’s valuation, the Eagles will walk away with limited regrets, knowing they’re covered across the front.
What Comes Next?
Steelers focus on extension, not trades. Watt’s history and holdout underscore their intent to keep him long-term
Eagles maintain surveillance, using their ammo to draft, develop, and deploy edge talent — all while median-salary deals like Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche round out the room.
The edge free-agent market remains open, but Watt won’t drive the cost ceiling skyward. Philly prefers value.
Philly fans can stay calm — Sirianni isn’t chasing headlines at the expense of structure. Watt may be an asset some teams dream about, but for now, the Eagles are choosing smart spending and long-term flexibility over a cap-crunching splash.
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