T.J. Watt could not follow with Steelers till contract extension is reached, coordinator suggests

Steelers coaching camp is greater than two weeks outdated and the workforce has but to see certainly one of its largest stars on the sector. Thus far, All-Professional cross rusher T.J. Watt hasn’t taken half in a single session. Head coach Mike Tomlin famous on Saturday that Watt has been “working laborious with our trainers” however did not expose additional when he could get again on the follow area. Nonetheless, defensive coordinator Keith Butler mentioned that he does not anticipate to see Watt again till he involves phrases on a contract extension with the Steelers that makes him one of many league’s highest-paid edge rushers. 

“That is none of my enterprise,” Butler mentioned when requested about Watt’s return, by way of Brooke Pryor of ESPN. “I hope he indicators the contract and will get it accomplished, and when he will get that accomplished, we’ll discuss that.”

Watt is getting into the ultimate 12 months of his contract is presently set to make over $10 million for the 2021 season after the membership picked up his fifth-year possibility. At any time when he indicators his extension, the 26-year-old has an opportunity to set the market on the place. At present, Joey Bosa is the highest-paid edge rusher with a median annual wage of $27 million. An extension for Watt will seemingly be in that neighborhood. 

Regardless of Watt not practising throughout workforce drills, he has been current for every coaching camp follow and traveled to Canton for the Corridor of Fame Recreation final Thursday. 

“I do not blame him for that since you do not need to get damage whenever you’re attempting to get your contract accomplished,” Butler mentioned of Watt not taking part in workforce drills. “You form of lose some flexibility by way of what sort of contract you’ll be able to signal. So, I do not blame him for that. I hope they get it accomplished. As a former participant rep for the gamers’ affiliation once I got here out, I’ve all the time been for the gamers. I struck twice for the gamers. I knew I wasn’t going to get the cash that they get. I would like them to make as a lot cash as they’ll on this league. I believe they deserve it.”

Final season, Watt led the NFL in sacks (15) and completed second within the Defensive Participant of the 12 months voting, solely dropping out to Rams famous person Aaron Donald. Via 4 seasons, Watt has 49.5 sacks and 59 tackles for a loss. 

The Steelers traditionally don’t negotiate contracts in-season, so the workforce is threading the needle to get a deal accomplished with Watt. Crew president Artwork Rooney II mentioned that the Steelers will attempt to attain an extension with Watt “by the beginning of the season.”