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BREAKING: T.J. Watt Clears the Air on Viral Peace Sign, Inks Historic Deal with Steelers

Steelers fans can finally exhale — there’s no contract drama lingering over Pittsburgh’s defensive cornerstone. In a saga that had social media buzzing, T.J. Watt, the 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and the franchise’s all-time sacks leader, took to Instagram in April with a simple peace sign gesture. The cryptic story instantly sent waves of speculation through the NFL world, with many reading it as a hint of frustration over contract negotiations or even a possible exit from Pittsburgh.

T. J. Watt - Wikipedia

This week, Watt finally addressed the viral moment, revealing the peace sign was never meant as a message of discontent — it was just a bit of offseason fun.

“Sometimes it’s just fun to have fun with the narratives out there,” Watt told the media, adding, “It’s fun to see what you guys are all writing, thinking things are one way even though they’re completely a different way.”

Former Steelers QB predicts one major condition that keeps T.J. Watt in  Pittsburgh - Yahoo Sports

As it turns out, negotiations between the Steelers and Watt resulted in a blockbuster: a three-year, $123 million extension that makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in football. With an average annual value of $41 million, Watt’s future in Pittsburgh is secured through the 2028 season.

Pittsburgh Steelers Team History: The Ultimate Breakdown - Sports  Illustrated

The deal was finalized less than a week before training camp opened at St. Vincent College. Watt himself confirmed the agreement with a flexing photo posted to Instagram on July 17, all but ending the swirling rumors.

Reflecting on the process, Watt admitted he intentionally stayed away from minicamp to avoid becoming a distraction, choosing to keep his routine at home as negotiations played out.

Saint Vincent College Admission: SAT Scores, Admit Rate

“There’s definitely more that goes through a lot of things when it comes to a contract,” Watt shared. “I think it was more so being prepared as best I possibly could as opposed to flying in and doing things on the side and potentially being more of a distraction. I’m glad the deal got done. I’m super excited to move forward.”

Pittsburgh Steelers get contract cost for new T.J. Watt deal - pennlive.com

Watt’s stats speak for themselves: 108 career sacks, two-time runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year, and now, a fresh deal that cements his legacy in the Steel City. With training camp underway and the Steelers set to open the season against the New York Jets on September 7, fans can look forward to more dominance from No. 90 — and maybe a few more playful posts along the way.

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Eagles Head Coach Announces A.J. Brown To Start On The Bench For Standout Rookie After Poor Performance vs. Broncos
  Philadelphia, PA — the Philadelphia Eagles’ head coach confirmed that A.J. Brown will start on the bench in Week 6 against the New York Giants, with the boundary starting spot going to rookie WR Taylor Morin—an undrafted signing out of Wake Forest who flashed through rookie camp and the preseason. The decision follows an underwhelming offensive showing against the Denver Broncos, where several snaps highlighted the unit being out of sync between Brown and Jalen Hurts. On a midfield option route, Hurts read Cover-2 and waited for an inside break into the soft spot, while Brown maintained a vertical stem and widened to the boundary to stretch the corner. The ball fell into empty space and the drive stalled. On a separate red-zone snap, a pre-snap hot-route signal wasn’t locked identically by the pair, resulting in a hurried throw that was broken up. The staff treated it as a reminder about route-depth precision, timing, and pre-snap communication—the micro-details that underpin the Eagles’ offense when January football arrives. Starting Morin is part of a plan to re-establish rhythm: the early script is expected to emphasize horizontal spacing, short choice/option concepts, and over routes off play-action to probe the Giants’ responses. Morin—who has shown strong hands in tight windows and clean timing in the preseason—should give the call sheet a steadier platform, while Brown will be “activated” in high-leverage downs such as 3rd-and-medium, two-minute, and red zone to maximize his body control, early separation, and the coverage gravity that can force New York to roll coverage. Facing the tough call, Brown kept his response brief but competitive:“I can’t accept letting a kid take my spot, but I respect his decision. Let’s see what we’re saying after the game. I’ll practice and wait for my chance. When the ball is in the air, everyone will know who I am.” Operationally, the staff is expected to streamline the call sheet between Hurts and Brown: standardize option-route depths, clearly flag hot signals, and increase game-speed reps in 7-on-7 and team periods so both are “seeing it the same and triggering the same.” Handing the start to Morin also resets the locker-room standard: every role is earned by tape and daily detail—even for a star of Brown’s caliber. If Brown converts the message into cleaner stems and precise landmarks—catching the ball at the spot and on time—the Eagles anticipate early returns: fewer dead drives, better red-zone execution when back-shoulder throws and choice routes are run “in the same language,” and an offense that regains tempo before taking on Big Blue. With Taylor Morin in the opening script, Philadelphia hopes the fresh piece is enough to jump-start the attack from the first series.