Steelers Now
Pittsburgh Steelers All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt is probably seeking $40 million a year or more, but Ian Rapoport of NFL Network thinks the Steelers are not keen on the idea of doing that. Cleveland Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett is currently the highest-paid edge rusher in the NFL, earning $40 million per year. Watt and his agent surely are making that point to the Steelers brass.
“You know, if they possibly can, they’re going to try and to make him the highest-paid edge rusher in the NFL,” Rapoport said. “Because we are still waiting on some details from these massive deals, it’s a little tricky to see where T.J. Watt belongs.”
From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: #Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is confident a deal with TJ Watt will work itself out eventually. pic.twitter.com/oOwXPT530e
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 12, 2025
In regard to T.J. Watt skipping mandatory minicamp due to a contract dispute, former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback and Hall of Famer Rod Woodson thinks the Steelers need to change their philosophy on how they structure contracts. He thinks the approach is outdated.
“The Steelers, when you have an existing contract, they normally tear it up and redo another contract for you,” Woodson said on Up & Adams with Kay Adams. “But what I would say to the Steelers is times are changing. When you have a guy like T.J. Watt, you want to keep him happy because not only is he the leader on the field and off the field, but you’re showing the rest of the players in the locker room how you treat your best players, especially in the history of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“He’s one of the best players to play at that position in the history of the Steelers. I think you do something a little bit different. Normally, they don’t tear those contracts up and redo them, but I think you should really hardly think about it. He should be one of the highest-paid players at his position, if not the highest-paid player at his position.”
J.J. Watt stated several times this offseason that the Steelers messed up by not giving his brother an extension sooner.
“Reward your players earlier and reap the benefits in the long run. Dragging it out not only ends up costing more, it creates unnecessary tension. The longer you wait, the higher the price,” J.J. Watt wrote on X in response to a Brett Kollerman post that said dragging stuff out is the worst way to do things.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is not worried about Watt’s three-day absence from mandatory minicamp. He’s confident that a solution will be reached at some point. When that will be is unknown, however.
“I’m not going to get into speculation there,” Tomlin said. “You guys know what negotiations is about; I’m optimistic we’re going to get things done because we got two sides that want things done. When that’s going to occur, I don’t know.”
Tomlin was not...
