Steelers' TJ Watt's Early Absence From OTAs Sends Clear Message While Other Veterans Skip Out Too

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a busy offseason in 2025, and it has mostly been that way on the offensive side of the ball. The organization made two shocking trades at wide receiver, and the franchise has been enthralled with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the two months since free agency began. Another story that should probably be getting more attention is the fact that star outside linebacker TJ Watt is heading into the final season of his contract, and the defender wants an extension. He probably won't play under his current one-year deal, and the organization will need to work out a new, lucrative extension.

Watt got to see two of his positional counterparts make some big money at the start of the 2025 offseason as Maxx Crosby and Myles Garrett each inked big deals with their respective teams. This put Pittsburgh in a rough spot, as the organization is now expected to beat out those larger deals when paying Watt.

A deal has not been done with Watt, and many expected that the star would not show up to Organized Team Activities (OTAs) when they began on Tuesday, and that is exactly what wound up happening.

Fans should not be too worried about Watt's absence just yet, however. OTAs are voluntary, and the defender has actually held-in before. During the offseason prior to signing his last deal, he showed up to training camp in Latrobe, PA, but would not practice with the team until a deal was done. That is likely what will happen again this time around. Mandatory minicamp kicks off on June 10th, and he will probably be there, not practicing, if a deal does not get done in the meantime.

Watt is a veteran, and fans do not need to worry about him being in shape when he finally gets back on the field by August, or whenever a deal gets done. Most extensions for Pittsburgh happen closer to the start of the regular season, so that should be what is expected this time around as well. By that time, there should be a lot more smoke about a potential contract extension. It is very unlikely that the Steelers allow the 2025 season to begin without Watt under contract for the foreseeable future, especially with all the cap space the organization has in the years ahead. 

Steelers Have Other Veterans Missing OTAs Too

Watt was not the only player for Pittsburgh to not attend the first day of OTAs. Both DK Metcalf and Darius Slay did not show, but that should not worry fans either as both players have new contracts that were signed during the 2025 offseason. Again, these events are voluntary, and veterans like Metcalf and Slay not attending is not out of the ordinary.

As far as Watt, no one will be able to ever likely replace him, but there is a ton of talent behind him in the outside linebacker room. Alex Highsmith is one of the best in the league, while Nick Herbig has shown serious flashes of greatness. Pittsburgh also selected Jack Sawyer in the fourth-round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and he could make an impact if needed.

Herbig has made plenty of plays throughout the first two seasons of his career, and he would be a starter on nearly every other team in the league. With Watt awaiting a new deal, the coaching staff will be able to get an extended look at Herbig and Sawyer, which could lead to more playing time for either player during the regular season.

A deal will inevitably get done with Watt, and it will be interesting to see if it is more than what Garrett got on his latest extension. He got a four-year deal worth $160 million with nearly $60 million guaranteed, which is quite the number for Pittsburgh to match considering it is $5 million more than the next closest edge rusher.

What do you think of Watt not having a new deal yet? Let us know in the comments below!

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