Steelers Legend Chimes in on T.J. Watt's Absence

The Pittsburgh Steelers will expect to have one of the league’s better defenses in 2025, headlined by a strong defensive line and an incredibly deep pass rush.

The engine of that unit is undoubtedly edge rusher T.J. Watt, and, for now, he’s away from the team. Watt is entering a contract year, and after Cleveland Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett received a massive four-year, $160 million deal, the Steelers’ star is right to secure an extension.

Most assume Pittsburgh will get a deal done and pay Watt handsomely, regardless of whether he clears Garrett’s $40 million annual mark.

In the meantime, though, his holdout is public, and his presence was missed at minicamp.

Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger said Watt’s absence could be a “bigger deal” for the coaching staff than the players on the field.

"Is it the biggest deal in the world that he's not there, for football, no, I don't think," Roethlisberger said on his podcast. "For the locker room and that kind of stuff, that's going to be the interesting part. Most players don't get too worked up if other guys aren't there because they're like, 'Take care of your business...' I think it's a bigger deal – coaches."

Roethlisberger was joined by his former offensive coordinator, Randy Fichtner, to offer a coach’s perspective.

Publicly, Pittsburgh isn’t concerned. But it’s understandable that they’d prefer the face of the franchise to be in attendance.

"Coaches, you get a little ruffled," Randy Fichtner said. "You get a little ruffled. You want your people there. You want your best players there."

Watt is coming off an 11.5-sack season, a decline in production that coincided with his age-30 season. Extending pass rushers deep into their 30s is rarely a safe bet, but Watt’s play against the run gives him staying power, even if his potency doesn’t recover.

Head coach Mike Tomlin spoke about Tomlin’s absence and expressed confidence in a deal getting done.

“Certainly, we’d like him to be here, but certainly not surprised about where we are,” Tomlin told reporters. “We’ve expressed a desire to get the business done. He has as well, and so, we’ll continue to work. We’ve been here before.”

For now, there is little for the Pittsburgh faithful to worry about. Until a deal is done, though, Watt’s looming extension will remain a key storyline of the Steelers’ summer.