How Steelers’ Mike Tomlin Addressed T.J. Watt’s Contract Situation

Mike Tomlin isn’t sounding any alarms regarding T.J. Watt’s absence.

Watt didn’t attend any of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ mandatory minicamp practices amid a contract dispute. The four-time All-Pro is entering the final year of a $112 million contract with the team that drafted him in 2017.

The Steelers finished their final minicamp session on Thursday, so Watt and the Steelers have six more weeks to negotiate before training camp starts July 24. Tomlin wouldn’t speculate on Watt’s future, but the head coach struck a hopeful tone when discussing his star player.

“I’m optimistic we’re going to get things done because we got two sides that want to get things done,” Tomlin said, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. “When that’s going to occur, I do not know.”

The Steelers can fine Watt, who also skipped voluntary organized team activities, up to $104,768 for missing this week’s three mandatory minicamp practices. Yet the NFL sacks leader since 2018 would have little trouble affording that penalty if he receives a new deal paying him with the league’s highest-paid defenders. Myles Garrett ended a dispute with the Cleveland Browns to sign a four-year, $160 million extension earlier this offseason.

It’s not a new situation for Watt, who also skipped Pittsburgh’s 2021 minicamp and staged a “hold in” before signing a new contract.

“Certainly we’d like him to be here, but certainly not surprised by where we are,” Tomlin said on Tuesday. “We’ve expressed the desire to get the business done, he has as well, and so we’ll continue to work. We’ve been here before.”

Watt finished fourth in last season’s Defensive Player of the Year voting with 11 1/2 sacks, 27 quarterback hits, and six forced fumbles. While Ian Rapoport anticipated a lengthy negotiation process, the NFL Network insider predicted the Steelers and Watt will eventually reach a resolution.

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