The Pittsburgh Steelers have survived high-profile holdouts earlier than, but T.J. Watt’s absence from offseason exercises feels completely different. In the identical summer time that the franchise revamped its roster and expectations, its defensive cornerstone is awaiting a brand new deal. Followers and pundits are weighing each hypothesis, even the wild notion of a commerce. Historical past, nevertheless, suggests a far much less dramatic ending.
Why the Pittsburgh Steelers Aren’t Panicking Over T.J. Watt’s Contract Standoff
The Steelers are following a well-recognized script. Watt’s $112 million extension in 2021 arrived hours earlier than the opener, and the entrance workplace lower it even nearer with offers for Cam Heyward and Minkah Fitzpatrick.
NFL insiders count on negotiations to warmth up as soon as veterans report back to Saint Vincent School on July 23, when the clock and headlines create actual urgency. Throughout Watt, the Steelers are handing out cash: DK Metcalf obtained paid, together with raises for newcomers Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith. But Watt waits.
“T.J. Watt will not be gonna stroll as a result of the Steelers inform him, ‘You’re completed now.’ I simply don’t see it,” Wealthy Eisen mentioned on the July 2 “The Rich Eisen Show.”
“It could be the silliest factor to do due to what he means to the town, what he means to these followers. However, most significantly, what he means to this crew. They’re a unique crew on protection … they’re a unique crew interval when he’s not on the market.”
When Watt isn’t on the market — he’s missed 11 video games in eight seasons — Pittsburgh is 1-10.
Regardless of calls being made and groups pondering they will make a play, @richeisen says underneath no unsure phrases are #HereWeGo buying and selling TJ Watt:#NFL pic.twitter.com/OQqzGjC9Cj
— Wealthy Eisen Present (@RichEisenShow) July 2, 2025
Numbers assist Eisen’s level. Watt has earned seven straight Professional Bowl nods because the quarterback’s worst nightmare. He led the NFL in sacks through the 2020, 2021, and 2023 seasons, together with his record-tying 22.5 sack-effort in 2021 when he was named Defensive Participant of the 12 months.
Even after coping with a lingering ankle subject final season, Watt posted 11.5 sacks and led the league with six compelled fumbles.
The underside line is the Steelers’ file when he’s on the sphere and efficient: 53-21-2 when Watt information a minimum of a half-sack.
“He’s the king of the trifecta, sack, compelled fumble, and restoration,” Eisen added. “He’s a game-wrecker, even when he’s on the back-nine and displaying a bit little bit of a downward slide, if that’s your analysis.”
Myles Garrett’s Mega Deal Raises the Stakes, however Steelers Keep Affected person on Watt
The monetary panorama has shifted since Watt signed in 2021. Myles Garrett’s four-year, $160 million pact moved elite edge salaries past $40 million in annual worth. With the wage cap projected to high $300 million by 2026, the Steelers can cushion a file assure by changing roster bonuses into void years.
Eisen continued, “I’d be surprised if they are saying, ‘We’re buying and selling you’ in any case of this (the strikes they’ve made this offseason). ‘We will’t determine it out. We will’t discover a quantity. We will’t in any manner, form or type signal you to this contract that you just’re searching for as a result of down the street we’re gonna remorse it’ … When the street and the rubber meetin’ it’s now.
“Google all you need, have a look at all these articles about ‘Finest Touchdown Spots for T.J. Watt.’ It’s wherever they play soccer within the NFL. And No. 2: It’s not going to occur.”
Whereas the Steelers are anticipated to pay his fines as soon as pen is put to paper, Watt accrued roughly $100,000 in fines for lacking every obligatory day of minicamp. Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the penalties improve to $50,000 per day as soon as coaching camp begins.
The Steelers, who’ve dealt with comparable standoffs with out lasting animosity, seem content material to let the calendar dictate their strategy.
