The Steelers‘ contract talks with T.J. Watt continue to take center stage — but both parties have been down this road before, and one insider believes there’s a connection to be made.

According to CBS Sports insider Aditi Kinkhabwala, the issues between Watt and Pittsburgh resemble the 2021 contract negotiations — where, apparently, both sides had choice words for one another:

“Here’s what the disconnect is,” Kinkhabwala said Wednesday on 93.7 The Fan. “And this is what happened the last time around in these negotiations. T.J. Watt was openly told, ‘You’re fortunate to be a Steeler.’ And his response was, ‘You’re fortunate to have me.’”

Four years ago, both the Steelers and Watt were locked in a contractual stalemate that wouldn’t be resolved until days before the regular season began — and many insiders agree a similar situation could take place this season.

While it’s important for everyone to take these reports and rumors with a grain of salt, if Pittsburgh truly wants to keep Watt, they very well could be forced to make him the highest-paid non-QB in the NFL.

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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers, T.J. Watt exchanged bold words in past talks, per insider