T.J. Watt’s three-day mandatory minicamp ended without him, but Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin remains optimistic about the possibility of a long-term extension with the star linebacker. Tomlin expressed confidence that negotiations will be completed during the summer break, with no indication of panicking or urgency from the team.
“We’re not going to get into speculation there,” Tomlin said in a statement. “I’m optimistic we’re going to get things done because we got two sides who want to get things done.”
This stance aligns with national insiders’ comments, including Mike Garafolo and Adam Schefter, who believe the Steelers are confident about securing a deal with Watt. The team’s commitment to keeping Watt on the roster for his career is evident, as owner Art Rooney II and general manager Omar Khan have expressed their willingness to negotiate an extension.
Watt’s status relative to training camp will be closely watched, but it wouldn’t be surprising if he joins his teammates in Latrobe. The Steelers have a policy of not negotiating contracts during player holdouts, which may influence Watt’s decision.
The timeline for Watt’s extension is uncertain, with Tomlin admitting that a deal could be struck over the six-week layoff before training camp begins. This would give Watt a full go once the season starts, potentially getting ahead of deals for other top players like Micah Parsons and Aidan Hutchinson.
Source: https://steelersdepot.com/2025/06/steelers-remain-in-contact-with-watt-tomlin-confident-new-contract-will-be-reached