Mike Tomlin 'optimistic' T.J. Watt will sign new deal, play at Bills

A report surfaced over the holiday weekend that those within the Pittsburgh Steelers were confident that star pass-rusher T.J. Watt would put pen to paper on a contract extension and practice ahead of this coming Sunday's regular-season opener at the Buffalo Bills. 

Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin seemed to confirm that report while speaking with the media Tuesday. 

"I remain optimistic that something's going to get done from a deal perspective. That aside, I'm expecting him to work tomorrow. I'm proceeding with the assumption that he's going to work tomorrow," Tomlin said of Watt, per Chase Goodbread of the NFL's website. "That's the approach I'm taking. He's missed some time due to obvious reasons, but like I've also mentioned, over the course of this team development process, I focus very little on those that aren't working, for whatever reason that they're not working. ... I'm proceeding with the assumption that he's working tomorrow and that he gets to add his talents to that (OLB) collection, and the development of that collection, and hopefully it culminates in quality play not only this weekend from that group, but obviously over the course of the 2021 season."

Thus far, Watt has participated only in individual drills this summer as part of an informal holdout that could become official this weekend. The two-time First-Team All-Pro led the NFL in sacks with 15 last season and is set to earn roughly $10.1 million on the final year of his rookie contract, so it's understandable he wants the type of guaranteed money he's earned before he risks his health in competitive action either this Sunday or later this fall. 

However, NFL Network's Aditi Kinkhabwala reports disagreements about guaranteed money could prevent Watt from signing a deal before the weekend.

Either way, Watt may find himself on somewhat of a "snap count" in Buffalo due to his overall lack of work in team activities throughout the preseason, assuming he practices and/or plays at all.