JULY 14: While a holdout would come as a surprise based on the mandatory fines which would be incurred, Outkick’s Armando Salgero reports Watt is the seen as the likeliest player amongst those engaged in a contentious negotiation to take that route. Steelers players are set to report on July 23, and it will be interesting to see how Watt handles the situation.
JULY 11: No movement has taken place recently on the T.J. Watt extension front. Still, the situation is unlikely to result in a training camp holdout. 
The former Defensive Player of the Year is expected to attend training camp, Mark Kaboly of the Pat McAfee Show reports. That comes as no surprise, since a holdout would lead to mandatory fines. In the absence of an extension, a hold-in (whereby players attend camp but do not participate in on-field work) would be more likely. Watt took that route during negotiations on his 2021 extension.
Kaboly adds team and player remain in a holding pattern at this point. Matters such as term and guarantees, but also overall value, are causing the ongoing holdup in this situation. It would be a good sign if there were only one or two sticking points, but there doesn’t appear to be any common ground, at the moment. As a result, Watt could very well find himself engaging in contract talks deep into the summer. Back when he signed his 2021 extension, an agreement wasn’t reached until only three days before the start of the regular season.
With the standoff in the negotiations, teams around the league have been calling to inquire on his availability, but Kaboly maintains that the Steelers have not made any such calls themselves. The team clearly wants to retain his services for the 2025 season, but after a disappointing stretch to end 2024, they’re hesitant to commit to anything long-term.
The four-time first-team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler turns 31 this season, and though he reached double-digit sacks in 2024, the 11.5 total was his lowest since his rookie season (not counting and injury-riddled 5.5-sack 2022 campaign). Despite a strong 10-3 start to the year, the Steelers found themselves falling from the division lead as they lost their final four games of the season, while the rival Ravens won their final four. Watt was held sackless for the last three games of the regular season, and in both the regular season finale and the playoff loss in Baltimore, Watt failed to add a single statistic to the box score.
The ninth-year veteran defender will continue to push for the deal he wants, though, and a resolution may not end up coming until early September.
Ely Allen contributed to this post.
Boy better learn some gratitude. He’s 31 and on the downhill of his career that’s statistical oriented at best. No rings, no playoff wins, but a trophy case of nonsensical trophies
‘…No rings, no playoff wins, but a trophy case of nonsensical trophies.’ Blame that on the organization, not 1 player.
For the type of money he demands he’s on the hook for at least a playoff win or a bj or some prize the owner can take home.
No way. All the Rodgers homers here say ‘it’s a team game’ right? Well Arron is the QB not a D player.
Watt has every right to demand top 3 market price. He sells tickets, jerseys etc. But it is not a DE responsibility to run an organization. Pitt has been stuck in neutral for coming up on a decade. Blame the ownership. Just like we all blame the Bengals and Browns ownerships.
Yawn. Demand top 3 all day, but it comes with expectations. If you are the top paid defensive player you are expected to produce wins (preferably playoff wins) not stats. It’s like AB none sense, I was the only player to play 50 straight games, with 10 catches, 100+ yards yadayadayada. No one cares, win bro.
With that said, Myles Garrett is a failure as well. Same for the Bengals WR duo. Plenty of others top 3 players play for bad teams.
Truth
Who is saying he ain’t??
How about you post blame where you see fit and let others have their own opinion
“Boy better learn some gratitude?” I’d love to see you talk that way to even a punter’s face.
For the type of money he’s asking and the liability he would hold, I’d call him boy jr.
This gives off strong “shut up and dribble” vibes
You mean shut up and don’t double dribble
So you’re basically just a hater. Got it.
You remind me of the boy that I use to hang high voltage line with, we use be hundreds of feet in the air and back in the day this boy was always talking about how great Atlanta’s run and shoot offense and anyone who disagreed was drinking hateraid.
Yeah, but he’s disgruntled like the ill tempered sea bass in Austin Powers. So he’ll end up on the Atlanta Falcons and that’s a good thing.
I am, it’s called an online message board. My opinion that top paid defensive player’s team needs to produce victories is just as permissible as you or anyone else rubbing one out over Watt leading the league in pass-rush get-off rate. In my day, the only metric that matter was how many fingers Mean Joe Greene had a ring on.
Lol look out we’ve got ourselves an internet tough guy!
If each player took less, then said team could afford other great players ultimately making the team better. If after doing that and loading up a roster you STILL can’t win, then maybe look at who’s running the show.
However, when you have to pay your best guys large chunks of your salary cap, you better have some underground ballers on the roster to balance that out. Problem is, even those guys want top dollar now.
Unfortunately for the Steelers and my Raiders, top dollar will be going to a DE. Probably rather have that be my QB, but that’s life.
Steelers looking into a trade.
Watt not looking into a trade.
Oh shiz…PFR starting some fires out here.
Sorry. Watt not holding out, now Steelers NOT looking into trade.
Well one of these guys is going to be right. Trade or no trade
lol.. love this click bait shi’ite…. Nobody ever thought any other way.