Report: Steelers' TJ Watt Will Not Be Attending Mandatory Minicamp Amidst Looming Contract Negotiations

The Pittsburgh Steelers have experienced a chaotic and unpredictable offseason, with a series of major roster changes that have reshaped the team’s future. Much of the public conversation has centered around the team’s notable acquisitions and the departure of several key players. However, beyond those big moves, there are also important developments taking place behind the scenes, particularly when it comes to ongoing contract negotiations with current players. Among these, one situation involving a star player stands out, and based on how things are unfolding, it appears that progress is stalling and tensions may be rising.

Offseason programs are officially underway for the Steelers, with mandatory minicamp starting Tuesday. While the most recent activities have been voluntary, minicamp represents a more serious phase of the offseason, where player participation is required. This is why growing concerns about the status of contract negotiations with star edge rusher TJ Watt are drawing even more attention now. Up until now, there had been speculation that things weren’t progressing smoothly, but that concern grew when NFL insider Dianna Russini took to X to report that Watt is not expected to attend mandatory minicamp.

It looks like Watt is in a familiar spot. This isn't the first time he's been in this position, as his previous contract wasn't ironed out until roughly 48 hours before the regular season kicked off. That deal made him the highest-paid defensive player in the league at the time, and his potential new contract could follow a similar pattern. Reports suggest the current holdout is all about money, with Watt likely looking to match the substantial contracts other players of his caliber have recently signed.

This situation isn't entirely unusual; it's common for players in contract negotiations to miss offseason programs. There's still ample time for Watt and the Steelers to finalize a new deal. However, Watt likely prefers not to wait, and the Steelers need to decide if they're willing to meet his price before other big contracts reset the market value even higher.

Missing mandatory programs unfortunately comes with consequences. Watt will face fines for not attending this week. NFL Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter recently detailed on X the costs associated with missing these crucial team events. Missing the first day costs $17,462, the second day adds $34,925, and a third day results in an additional $52,381 fine, bringing the total to $104,768 for three missed days.

Steelers Have The Money To Pay Watt

At the end of the day, the NFL is a business, and that's never more apparent than during contract negotiations. Playing football is these athletes' profession, and when other players doing similar or even less impactful work are getting paid more, it's only natural for someone like Watt to take a stand.  

Only time will tell how these negotiations pan out, but ultimately, the Steelers have the financial means necessary, so they need to decide if Watt stays or not.

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