Ben Roethlisberger And Randy Fichtner Believe Steelers' Coaching Staff Is Not Happy With TJ Watt

The Pittsburgh Steelers have finally figured out the quarterback situation in the Steel City for the 2025 season. Four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers will be under center after officially agreeing to sign with the organization. It took longer than expected, but it is a done deal. That being finalized has not kept the franchise out of the spotlight, however. The 2021 AP Defensive Player of the Year, TJ Watt, is intentionally skipping mandatory minicamp as he waits for a contract extension. This potential deal is supposed to give the dominant pass rusher roughly $40 million per year moving forward.

A new deal for Watt seems inevitable, but the veteran seems to be a little upset about how the process has gone to this point. The fact that he did not show up to the mandatory minicamp, and is willing to pay over $100,000 in fines, speaks volumes. The Steelers are in the very early part of the team development stages, but it still hurts not to have one of the best defenders in football not on the field.

Recently, Ben Roethlisberger had his former offensive coordinator, Randy Fichtner, on his Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger podcast. The two discussed plenty of topics regarding what's going in Pittsburgh, and when Watt came up, the two weren't very confident that the coaching staff is at all pleased with Watt as he watches from afar.

"Is it the biggest deal in the world that he's not there, for football, no, I don't think," Roethlisberger said. "For the locker room and that kind of stuff, that's going to be the interesting part. Most players don't get too worked up if other guys aren't there because they're like, 'Take care of your business...' I think it's a bigger deal - coaches."

Right as Roethlisberger was making his point about the situation, Fichtner jumped in and interrupted the two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback. He knows the coaching staff is a little bit flustered with Watt's situation.

"Coaches, you get a little ruffled," Fichtner said. "You get a little ruffled. You want your people there. You want your best players there."

Fichtner was on Head Coach Mike Tomlin's staff, so he may have a little more insight into what goes on behind closed doors. If he believes that coaches get a little uneasy in these situations, it's quite possible that the same is going on internally for the Steelers right now.

Watt deserves to be paid one final massive contract by Pittsburgh. Many forget that he was on pace to win a second Defensive Player of the Year Award prior to a disappointing end to his 2024 campaign. A new deal doesn't necessarily have to be adding four years to his current contract, as three more seasons could make the most sense for all parties involved.

The edge rusher is going to be looked at as the team's best ever at the position, and he still could have several more years of contributing. There is an improper belief out there that he is injured often, but he has played in 34 games over the course of the last two years. In other words, he hasn't missed one. The Steelers' defense is overwhelmingly better when he is on the field, so it will be better for everyone involved to agree on terms sooner rather than later.

Steelers Can't Afford To Trade Watt

Some have speculated that Pittsburgh's front office will attempt to trade Watt, but the numbers suggest it would make absolutely no sense to do so. Despite solid depth at the position, the team has been noticeably worse when Watt isn't in the lineup. He is crucial to the defense's success, and even when he isn't performing, all of the attention focused on him allows other players to wreak havoc on opposing offenses.

Do you think that the Steelers' coaching staff may be currently upset with how Watt is handling his contract situation? Let us know in the comments below!

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