With mini-camps beginning throughout the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers began their workouts without one of their best players this week.
Aaron Rodgers' welcome to the Steelers' facility topped headlines on Tuesday, but EDGE rusher T.J. Watt wasn't seen at the team's mini-camp.
Watt is going into the 2025 NFL season in his final year under contract in Pittsburgh, and it seems that he's looking for a new deal before he joins the Steelers in offseason workouts.
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt TJ watt
Brett Davis-Imagn Images
It's looking like the 30-year-old is in pursuit of a deal that looks similar to contract extensions that were signed from other top EDGE rushers in the NFL like the Las Vegas Raiders' Maxx Crosby and the Cleveland Browns' Myles Garrett.
Marcus Spears reacts to the absence of T.J. Watt at Steelers mini-camp
While many believe that T.J. Watt deserves to get an extension with the Steelers, the team has been patient with negotiations.
Former Dallas Cowboys' defensive end Marcus Spears spoke on the contract dispute between the Pittsburgh Steelers and T.J. Watt.
"I'm talking about $40 million a year... He's been more of a catalyst for this football team winning games late than anyone else on this football team. So I think he should be having this conversation now," Spears said on NFL Live.
After being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the No. 30 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, Watt has registered 462 tackles, 108 sacks, 33 forced fumbles, and seven interceptions for the franchise.
He's also a seven-time Pro Bowler, four-time AP First-Team All-Pro and won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2021 while holding the Steelers' all-time sack record.
While Watt is set to make $21 million in 2025, it seems that he feels deserving of a contract that will make him around $40 million a year like other top EDGE rushers in the NFL.