Pittsburgh Steelers star linebacker T.J. Watt skipped the start of mandatory minicamp, sending a message to the team about his desire for a new contract before next season begins. Watt is entering the final year of his current four-year extension worth $112 million, which was signed in 2021.
Watt’s absence is not unexpected, as he has skipped minicamp in the past, including during training camp in 2021 when he agreed to a contract on the eve of the regular season. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin expressed his desire for Watt to be present, but acknowledged that they are “not surprised” by his decision.
Tomlin stated that the team is willing to work with Watt to get a new deal done, as they have in the past. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin sees Watt’s absence as an opportunity for younger players like Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer to shine.
Watt’s departure has allowed quarterback Aaron Rodgers to focus on the upcoming season. The four-time NFL MVP signed a one-year deal last week and participated in individual drills, but spent most of his time chatting with teammates and reviewing play sheets. With Watt absent, the team is moving forward, despite heavy churn at quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/pittsburgh-steelers-tj-watt-7b2ff35deb497664064fad19c2d1b89d