Steelers Receive Unfortunate Update on TJ Watt Amid Contract Issues

Contract issues can make or break rosters, and if a superstar feels they are being undervalued, they will often strong-arm their way into a new deal before they take the field. That appears to be the case for Pittsburgh Steelers star pass rusher T.J. Watt.

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According to multiple reporters, Watt is not expected to be present for mandatory minicamp. He is seeking a new deal and could be subjected to over $100,000 in fines for missing the entire thing.

Watt is currently in the final year of his four-year, $112 million extension, which he accepted in 2021. That deal paid him $28 million per year, and now has him making less than the annual amount of the top five pass rushers.

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Watt’s contract is less than Brian Burns, Josh Hines-Allen, Nick Bosa, Maxx Crosby, Danielle Hunter, and Myles Garrett.

Garrett reset the market when he was awarded a monster four-year, $160 million contract extension that pays him $40 million per season, and includes $123 million of that contract guaranteed.

Watt could command a similar contract, as he has been just as dominant as Garrett has been. In fact, since the 2020 season, Watt has been the sack leader three times.

Garrett has secured 72 sacks since the 2020 season, while Watt has secured 73.5. Their numbers and dominance are very similar, so expect the Steelers to shell out big money to ensure their defensive star takes the field.

Watt is definitely the pace setter on the defense and one of the most important members of the Steelers team. Not having him around to mentor the new draftees and get the defense into shape is something the organization won’t want to allow to happen for very long.

It will be interesting to see how Steelers general manager Omar Khan handles the situation. There have been many players who have gone on to skip minicamp and training camp to get a better deal.

For instance, Dallas Cowboys star receiver CeeDee Lamb. Lamb held out through most of training camp and was finally awarded a new deal in August 2024, just two weeks shy of the start of the regular season.

The Steelers might now allow Watt to hold out that long, considering he is one of the most important players on the team. However, negotiations on contracts can often be drawn out over weeks and months.

As stated, Watt might reset the market for pass rushers, as he has been equally and often viewed as more dominant than Garrett.

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