The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a dramatic offseason so far in 2025. The organization made two big moves at wide receiver by acquiring DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks and trading George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. The franchise was also in the headlines daily as it awaited on a decision from veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who recently signed with the team and made it official that he will be the starting quarterback for the 2025 season. Now, the franchise is dealing with a holdout from the organization's top player, TJ Watt.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' TJ Watt and Alex Highsmith sub out during a Wild Card matchup against the Ravens in 2025.
Watt is entering the final season of his contract in 2025, and he and the organization have not come any closer on a deal throughout the 2025 offseason. Pittsburgh did not help itself, as the franchise chose not to extend Watt during the 2024 offseason and decided to wait. This led to Pittsburgh being beat by the Cleveland Browns and the Las Vegas Raiders on extensions for Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby, respectively. This drove the market price up, which made it harder to get Watt extended sooner.
NFL insider Mike Garafolo reported on Good Morning Football on Tuesday morning that Watt will continue to not be present at mandatory minicamp, while stating that the star defender is willing to take things to extreme measures.
"[lan Rapoport] and I are told, via sources, that his absence this offseason will continue into the mandatory portion of the offseason here" Garafolo said. "TJ Watt's serious about showing the team that he is serious about this contract extension that he has not gotten to this point. We have seen pass rushers, including Myles Garrett, his fellow pass rusher in the AFC North, paid this off season. TJ wants his pay at this point. Has not gotten it and is willing to be fined to prove a point right now."
Watt was not present for Organized Team Activities (OTAs), but that wasn't as big of a deal as veterans skip those all of the time. They are also voluntary, so Watt could pass them up without any repercussions. However, mandatory minicamp began on Tuesday, and Watt was not present. These practices are not voluntary, and the defender could be subject to fines for each day he misses.
Mike J. Terrill / AP Photo
Steelers edge rusher TJ Watt stands on stage at the 2021 NFL Honors Ceremony as he accepts the award for Defensive Player of the Year after a phenomenal season.
Watt has had an incredible career so far in Pittsburgh. He won the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year Award during the 2021 season, and he should have a couple more trophies as well had he not been snubbed on multiple occasions. He has been dominant in just about every season he's played healthy, and he is known as one of the league's best game wreckers. Extending him should be a priority for the organization, even if it has to fork over more money than it wants to.
The outside linebacker wants to win in his career, and he has yet to win a playoff game. Should this contract dispute continue, he might start thinking about what it might be like to play for a true contender. He could wait out the final year of his deal in Pittsburgh before looking around in free agency, or he could request a trade to go elsewhere beforehand.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' TJ Watt smiles before Week 12 game against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football.
Steelers And TJ Watt Have Had Contract Issues Before
Watt did a bit of a hold-in before his last contract extension. He showed up at training camp, but did not practice until a new deal was done. It seems like Watt is taking things more seriously this time around. His absence at minicamp shows that, and it will be amplified if he does not show up in Latrobe, PA for training camp. He will be fined if he misses those practices as well, which the star apparently does not mind.
When do you think the contract dispute will come to an end? Let us know in the comments below!
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