PITTSBURGH — On Tuesday, a notable absence was felt at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ mandatory minicamp: star linebacker T.J. Watt. His decision not to attend sends a clear indication to the Steelers about his interest in negotiating a new contract before the season kicks off. Currently approaching the final year of the contract extension he inked in September 2021, Watt’s $112 million deal once elevated him to the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player. However, in the years that followed, this record has been surpassed, with Cleveland’s Myles Garrett recently setting a new benchmark by earning $40 million annually as a non-quarterback.
“Of course, we’d prefer T.J. to be here, but this isn’t unexpected,” remarked Mike Tomlin, the Steelers head coach. “Both sides want to finalize the business aspect, and discussions remain ongoing. This isn’t uncharted territory for us.” Watt’s absence marks a departure from his 2021 approach, where he participated in minicamp and training but refrained from full involvement until a contract was settled just before the season started.
Coach Tomlin remains unperturbed about Watt’s long-term presence with the Steelers. He refrained from commenting on whether Watt had informed the team about his choice to remain home in Wisconsin, opting out of the minicamp that saw 89 players, including newly signed quarterback Aaron Rodgers, in attendance.
Watt’s performance before the current extension was remarkable, tying an NFL record with 22 1/2 sacks. He led the league in sacks again in 2023, though last year’s tally dipped to 11 1/2, his lowest in a season since his rookie year in 2017 when he wasn’t sidelined by injury. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin views Watt’s absence as a chance for younger talents like Nick Herbig and rookie Jack Sawyer to gain experience, though neither boasts Watt’s impactful presence. At nearly 31 years old, Watt remains a pivotal force on a defense that has maintained competitive standings for the Steelers amid quarterback transitions following Ben Roethlisberger’s 2022 retirement.
Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers, who sealed a one-year deal last week, partook in individual drills during the minicamp and spent much of the time engaging with teammates and studying the playbook.