Steelers insider offers worrisome timeline for T.J. Watt extension

During Tuesday's edition of NFL Network's "The Insiders" program, league insider Mike Garafolo reported that the situation between the Pittsburgh Steelers and T.J. Watt isn't contentious, even though the star pass-rusher didn't report for the start of the Steelers' mandatory minicamp on Tuesday amid his desire for a contract extension. 

However, Steelers reporter Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette hinted during a Wednesday appearance on Pittsburgh sports radio station 93.7 The Fan that Watt won't be putting pen to paper on a deal anytime soon. 

"It doesn't seem like there's a lot of momentum to get this done before training camp," Fittipaldo said about Watt potentially signing an extension before Pittsburgh's summer break wraps up, as shared by Joe Clark of Steelers Depot. "Never say never, but I think this is gonna drag on for quite some time."

That is exactly what occurred back in the summer of 2021, when Watt completed a "hold-in" during training camp before he received a four-year extension worth over $112M, including $80M in fully guaranteed money. It's unclear how much of a pay raise the 30-year-old wants after Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns reset the market for players at the position when he inked a four-year, $160M extension that included $123.5M guaranteed earlier this offseason. 

It's believed Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys will sign a deal worth more than Garrett's before the 2025 season gets underway. 

John Breech of CBS Sports noted that the Steelers could fine Watt up to $104,768 if he skips all of minicamp through Thursday. Pittsburgh could eventually rescind those fines. 

"They certainly can fine him, but I don't think that's good business for the Steelers," Fittipaldo added about the Watt matter. "And honestly, $100,000 to a guy like T.J. Watt is like fining you and me [$50]. So I don't think that's gonna happen." 

According to Troy Montgomery of Steelers Depot, CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones reported on Tuesday that he does "not see, under any circumstances, T.J. Watt being on another team other than the Pittsburgh Steelers" by September. That's all well and good, but it remains to be seen if Watt would stay away from the Steelers if he doesn't have an extension in hand when training camp opens in late July.