First Call: T.J. Watt projected for Canton; Al Villanueva's issues in Baltimore; why Justin Houston picked Ravens instead of Steelers

In Monday’s “First Call,” we look at the career of Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt with a long-term lens.

Extremely long term.

We also have a pair of notes from Baltimore Ravens training camp that are directly tied to the Steelers.

And we look at the ripple effect of Josh Allen’s massive new contract in Buffalo.

T.J.’s time

Donnie Shell, Bill Cowher, Troy Polamalu, Alan Faneca and Bill Nunn were all part of this weekend’s Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.

So who else may be on their way to Canton, Ohio in the future? Ben Roethlisberger, Hines Ward, Maurkice Pouncey and James Harrison will all be under consideration.

NFL.com went one step beyond that, coming up with five active players who project as inductees. And they are all under the age of 30.

Steelers linebacker T.J Watt was fourth on that list behind Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Indianapolis Colts guard Quentin Nelson, and Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

“T.J. Watt has amassed 49.5 sacks over four seasons, including three straight seasons with at least 13 sacks,” Buck Brooks wrote on Friday. “In addition, the Steelers’ disruptive playmaker has emerged as one of the NFL’s premier turnover machines, logging 17 forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and four interceptions. With No. 90 thriving as an elite pass rusher off the edge, the Steelers’ All-Pro sack master is well on his way toward earning a bronze bust in Canton.”

Eh, let’s see him do something in a playoff game before we start talking about Canton. But, yes, the resume is building.

By the way, the player who was fifth on that list — speaking of doing something in the playoffs — is one Steelers fans won’t like.

It was Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Speaking of the Ravens

One of the offensive linemen entrusted with the job of protecting Lamar Jackson in 2021 is Alejandro Villanueva.

The Ravens signed the former Steelers offensive tackle in free agency this offseason. But, apparently, the road hasn’t been easy so far in Baltimore.

According to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic, Villanueva has had some tough moments during training camp, especially when paired against former Penn State rookie pass rusher Odafe Oweh.

Zrebiec says that Villanueva “has struggled at times in camp, specifically with the speed and power combination of Oweh.”

However, Zrebiec went on to say that Villanueva “may have had his best day yet Friday. He won back-to-back one-on-one reps against Pernell McPhee, getting the veteran outside linebacker to the ground and landing on him on the first one. He kept the Ravens’ outside linebackers mostly in check during the team drills, too.”

At 32 years old, Villanueva was signed to replace Orlando Brown who was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in the offseason.

Turnabout is fair play

Remember when Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster claimed he took less money as a free agent to stay in Pittsburgh than he was offered to go to the Ravens or the Kansas City Chiefs?

Well, now current Ravens pass rusher Justin Houston is making a similar claim about turning down the Steelers.

Via ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley, Houston said, “I was so close to signing with the Steelers … It just worked out better (in Baltimore).”

According to Hensley’s post, it sounds like Houston believes Baltimore’s scheme was a better fit for his talents.

“I think it was a better fit for me in what I was looking for,” Houston said. “I just want opportunities to have one-on-ones and be able to put pressure on the quarterback.”

Studying Baltimore’s scheme sealed Houston’s decision.

“I fell in love with it,” Houston said. “I kind of knew I wanted to be here when I saw that.”

Although, whatever difference there was in money between what Houston got from the Ravens versus what the Steelers ended up paying Melvin Ingram doesn’t appear to be much.

Both players are scheduled to make $4 million. In Ingram’s case, that depends on how you parse out the cash over some voidable years. In Houston’s case, that’s based on incentives.

All about Allen

Bills quarterback Josh Allen just signed a six-year, $258 million contract to remain in Buffalo.

Those numbers are getting play from others in the quarterback fraternity. Via ESPN, Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield said the terms of that contract are “good for the quarterback position overall.”

“I’d be lying if (I) said otherwise,” Mayfield said following a Sunday scrimmage. “But I’m worried about winning right now. … I think the rest will take care of itself.”

Mayfield was the No. 1 draft pick in 2018. Allen went seventh overall that year.

So what do the terms mean for Mayfield and the Browns? According to ESPN’s Jake Trotter, Browns general manager Andrew Berry “would be open-minded” about negotiating rookie extensions after the season began.

Mayfield is trying to sidestep the conversation.

“I’m not doing the negotiations, so quite frankly I don’t give a damn,” he said. “I’m worried about winning Week 1, then going on to Week 2 and focusing on that week, one week at a time. And that’s my mindset.”

The Steelers are slated to open up against Allen and his Bills teammates in Week 1 of the regular season.