For example, the Pittsburgh Steelers began implementing void years into their contracts this offseason in order to lower the salary cap number for 2021.
Pro Football Focus recently outlined what each AFC team’s best and worst contract is going into the 2021 season.
Before looking at PFF‘s results, remember this is coming from a source which is not always over-familiar with the Steelers.
Cameron Heyward is the interior defender with name recognition in Pittsburgh, and for good reason, but Stephon Tuitt is a star in his own right.
With two years remaining on his deal, some believe Stephon Tuitt could do a restructure in order to save the Steelers some cap space.
Watt is the second-highest-paid fullback in the NFL, at $3.25 million per year — one of just seven fullbacks making more than $1 million a year.
As PFF mentioned, it’s the special teams aspect Derek Watt brings to the table which is also a factor.
If comparing Watt to another special teams player who only fills in occasionally at their primary position, a good place to start would be former seventh-round draft pick of the Steelers in Tyler Matakevich.
In looking at the contracts of these players, Matakevich signed a two-year deal for $7.15 million going into 2020 while Watt signed a three-year deal for $9.75 million.
The biggest questions that remain are if Watt is a top-notch special teams player himself, and will be actually be used more on offense in 2021.