Mar 31, 2025; Palm Beach, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin answers questions from the medianduring the NFL Annual League Meeting at The Breakers. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

Steelers’ Mike Tomlin Addresses T.J. Watt Holdout

Originally posted on Pittsburgh Steelers on SI
By Jacob Punturi | Last updated Jun 12, 2025 5:00 PM ET

The Pittsburgh Steelers completed their mandatory minicamp after three exciting days at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex in the South Side. The training sessions were highlighted by the arrival and first look at superstars Aaron Rodgers and D.K. Metcalf. Their arrivals cast a vast shadow over any other problems plaguing the Steelers' franchise, including the contract situation of their best player overall and leader of the defense, T.J. Watt.

The Steelers' head coach, Mike Tomlin, spoke to the media one final time before training camp, which is one month away and will be held in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. During his closing remarks, he was predictably asked about Watt's contract situation.

The good news from Tomlin, if his sentiment is to be believed and his views also represent that of the Steelers, is that the organization and T.J. Watt are close on a deal. Close, maybe not meaning days, or maybe even weeks, but the panic that was happening because of his absence was seemingly put to rest by Tomlin.

"I'm optimistic we're going to get things done," he said. "We got two sides that want to get things done."

#Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, on the TJ Watt situation now that minicamp has ended: “I'm optimistic we're going to get things done because we got two sides that want to get things done. When that's going to occur… I do not know.”
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 12, 2025

The biggest takeaway from this comment from Tomlin is that he's not worried, and seemingly the Steelers aren't worried as well. He mentioned that both sides want to get a deal done, which is not always the case.

We've seen countless examples around the NFL of only one side wanting to get a deal done and the other side begrudgingly coming to terms.

That is not what is happening here in Pittsburgh. Contrarily, what's happening is the slow and painful process of a difficult negotiation. The difference is that both sides are closely aligned on their end goal, which is very rare in these circumstances.

Both sides want a deal done, and for this to end. That means that before the season begins, we're not sure exactly when still, but at some point before the week one of the regular season, Watt will be signed, sealed, and delivered back to the Steelers' defense.

This article first appeared on Pittsburgh Steelers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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