T.J. Watt skips Steelers OTAs amid contract negotiations; Pittsburgh eyes extension for generational defensive star entering final deal year.
Sometimes, silence is louder than any sack celebration. As the Pittsburgh Steelers gather for OTAs, the absence of their defensive cornerstone — T.J. Watt — speaks volumes. No statement. No social media flurry. Just an empty locker that raises one question: What’s next? Watt, entering the final year of a deal that once made him the highest-paid defender in football, is now quietly watching the market shift beneath his feet. The gap between past dominance and future compensation is narrowing, and as the Steelers plan their next chapter, they must ask themselves: How do you value the face of a franchise?
#Steelers TJ Watt is missing OTAs
Watt is wanting a contract extension #HereWeGo pic.twitter.com/8LDI3QCMuB
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) May 28, 2025
A Contract Clock Ticks in the Shadows
T.J. Watt’s decision to skip the voluntary sessions in Pittsburgh this week may seem routine on the surface. After all, it’s the offseason. Veterans have skipped OTAs before. But this absence feels different. It feels timed. Purposeful. Watt’s four-year, $112 million extension — signed in 2021 — once reset the defensive market. Now, it lags behind. With Myles Garrett pulling $40 million a year in Cleveland, Watt’s current $21 million salary looks increasingly outdated.
TJ Watt appreciation post.
Steelers need to get this man a contract ASAP! ⏰#NFL #Steelers pic.twitter.com/pGbUejYgLn
— The Standard (@TheStandard412) May 19, 2025
Still, this isn’t about resentment. It’s about recognition. In eight years, Watt has become more than just a menace to quarterbacks — he’s the engine of the Steelers’ identity. His 108 career sacks, league-leading totals in three seasons, and 2021 Defensive Player of the Year award are a testament to his consistency and craft. This isn’t just a linebacker seeking leverage. It’s a leader making sure his legacy — and value — are respected in the modern game.
The Numbers Matter, But the Presence Matters More
Watt’s absence reminds Pittsburgh of something deeper than dollars: how vital he is to the pulse of this defense. Even in a “down year” by his standards — 11.5 sacks and 61 tackles — he remained a presence that altered game plans and tilted fields. As he turns 31 this fall, the debate isn’t whether he can still perform, but how long he’ll anchor a unit built in his image.
The Steelers, famously conservative in their contract extensions, now find themselves staring at a changing market and a looming deadline. A deal will get done — that much seems likely. But how it gets done, and when, will say much about how Pittsburgh plans to ride the back half of Watt’s prime. In the locker room, the belief in his return is unwavering. Teammates like Alex Highsmith don’t just hope he stays — they expect it. “He’s not going anywhere,” Highsmith said, echoing the quiet confidence shared by many inside the building.
JJ Watt on TJ Watt contract on Pat McAfee Show: “Ownership & front offices obviously treat this like a business but they don’t like it when the players treat it like a business … If you can take care of your guys earlier you should do that.” #Steelerspic.twitter.com/fpS18G1YIc
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) May 28, 2025
Beyond the Business, a Bond That Runs Deep
Watt’s absence from OTAs may be headline material, but the story that matters is the one Pittsburgh has been writing with him for nearly a decade. This is not a divorce in motion. It’s a negotiation between legacy and value. Watt is as entrenched in the culture of the franchise as any player since Troy Polamalu or James Harrison. His work ethic, his commitment, and his role in mentoring a younger defense reflect a player whose value can’t be calculated on a spreadsheet alone.
And yet, business will be business. Whether Watt returns with a deal done before training camp, or whether talks stretch into the season, the Steelers and their star are on a shared path — one paved with mutual respect and championship ambition. For now, the locker sits empty. But the belief remains strong that come fall, No. 90 will return, roaring off the edge, chasing quarterbacks — and, perhaps, one final massive contract to match his undeniable worth.
