T.J. Watt not at Steelers minicamp as contract negotiations drag on

Ray Fittipaldo, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Jun 10, 2025

Published in Football

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PITTSBURGH — Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt did not participate in the first mandatory minicamp practice on Tuesday as he and his representatives continue to seek a new contract.

Watt is entering the final year of the five-year, $112 million contract ($80 million guaranteed) he signed in 2021 that made him the highest-paid defensive player in the league at the time.

The highest-paid defensive player in the league now is Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett, who signed a $205 million deal in March. Watt is one of several edge rushers seeking a new deal this summer.

Micah Parsons of the Cowboys, Trey Hendrickson of the Bengals and Aidan Hutchinson of the Lions also are seeking new deals.

According to sources, Watt's original plan was to attend minicamp, but his about face appears to be part of a new trend as agents try to gain leverage in negotiations.

When Watt was seeking a new contract in 2021, he attended minicamp and "held in" during training camp, which is to say he reported on time but did not take part in any practices.

Many other players did the same thing in the past several years, but the traditional holdout is now back in vogue. Hendrickson and Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin also are not attending their minicamp practices on Tuesday. Bengals rookie Shemar Stewart, who has yet to sign his rookie contract, is not attending minicamp, either.

While negotiations are currently at a standstill, the Steelers have 89 days to work out a new deal with Watt. The team's self-imposed deadline is Sept. 7, the day they open the regular season against the New York Jets. The Steelers have a longstanding policy of not negotiating contracts once the season begins.

In 2021, when Watt was entering the final year of his contract, the negotiations dragged all the way throughout training camp with Watt not signing until 48 hours before the season opener.

Whether the Steelers take it up to the deadline again remains to be seen, but team president Art Rooney II and general manager Omar Khan have said on multiple occasions this offseason they want Watt to retire as a Steeler.

And Watt, who is entering his ninth NFL season, made his feelings known on his long-term future the day after the Steelers lost to the Ravens in the playoffs.

"I want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler," Watt said on Jan. 13. "I want to be part of the solution. I've put so much into this. I don't want to leave this place. I love the people here, and that goes beyond just the coaches. It's the fan base and the community. We owe it to them to get it right. I don't want to go somewhere else. That's not my intention."

The Steelers, who can fine Watt for not being in attendance this week, went about their business without the franchise's all-time sacks leader.

"We're going to keep preparing and moving ahead," defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said. "We expect him back at some point. He'll get caught up fast. He'll be in great shape. No worries. I actually think it's a great opportunity for young guys to get more reps."

One of those "young guys" is third-year pro Nick Herbig, who is lining up in Watt's spot at left outside linebacker until he returns.

"We'd love to have 90 here," Herbig said. "He's the heartbeat. He's a Pittsburgh Steeler through and through. "Myself and the team benefit a lot more when he's here. Obviously I'm ecstatic to be running with the 1's, but I prepare every day to be a starter. Whether that's today, Week 11, next year or in two years, I'm going to prepare like I'm the starter. I believe I have the talent and work hard enough to do that."

Watt will be 31 in October, and age will likely be a factor in the length of the contract the Steelers are willing to offer. Watt had 11 1/2 sacks last season, but it was his fewest since his rookie season (outside his injury-interrupted 2022 season). His 27 quarterback hits were his fewest since his second season in the league.

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