Watt practices after Big Ben says Steelers should pay him

Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

T.J. Watt practices after Ben Roethlisberger says Steelers should pay All-Pro

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 9/8/21

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters Tuesday he was "optimistic" star pass-rusher T.J. Watt would practice with teammates in full on Wednesday after the two-time First-Team All-Pro participated only in individual drills throughout the summer because he's on the final year of his rookie contract and understandably wants a new deal.

According to ESPN's Brooke Pryor and Mark Kaboly of The Athletic, Watt worked out as Tomlin seemingly predicted:

T.J. Watt practiced today as Mike Tomlin suggested yesterday that he would and confirmed by Joe Schobert, who said it was good to have Watt at practice today. Tomlin said he looked good. Side note, it rained during the entire duration of practice as the Steelers practiced outside
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) September 8, 2021

As of Wednesday afternoon, the Steelers still hadn't caved to Watt's alleged requests regarding language about guaranteed money in a new contract. Earlier in the day, 39-year-old quarterback Ben Roethlisberger left little doubt about how he feels the franchise should handle such negotiations.

"I think T.J. should get whatever the heck he wants," Roethlisberger explained. "He's arguably the best football player in the game right now, not just on defense, just in general.

"One of the reasons I took less money was for guys like him to get paid, and he needs to get paid. He deserves every penny that he wants and asks for. T.J. Watt is that guy that should get whatever he wants."

Watt led the NFL last season with 15 sacks, and Tomlin suggested the 26-year-old will be in the lineup as usual for Sunday's regular-season opener at the Buffalo Bills.

"I thought he looked good. He was engaged," Tomlin said of Watt. "He's been a full participant in walkthroughs and things of that nature. He's a smart guy. He can learn from watching others and it's evident in watching him work today.

"We're going to push forward and continue to push forward and prepare for this game. I don't have anything uniquely schedule for him."

Tomlin's update suggests Watt doesn't intend to turn his "hold-in" into an official holdout by the weekend.

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