Steelers fans get frightening message regarding T.J. Watt and his future in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been making news throughout the 2025 offseason. 

It has come in a lot of different ways, as the team has been a part of some blockbuster trades while the pursuit of quarterback Aaron Rodgers was a strong topic in the media for months. Now, the Steelers are dealing with trying to get their star outside linebacker T.J. Watt to agree to a contract extension. The situation is being monitored closely, but it doesn't seem like the two sides are very close to getting a deal done.

The organization only has itself to thank for being in this situation with Watt. The franchise had the chance to extend him during the 2024 offseason, but it decided to wait. Watt's brother J.J. Watt has come out and said that was a major mistake by Pittsburgh, as now other edge rushers have gotten paid and reset the market. Myles Garrett signed a new deal during the 2025 offseason and is now the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history, and Watt may be trying to beat that contract. Fans have been getting worried about the holdup on a new deal, and reporter Mike Florio wrote about the situation on Monday night.

"The problem is that the two sides are, we’re told, nowhere close on a new deal," Florio wrote. "Watt, one of the very best defensive players in the game, is ready for any outcome and not afraid to push the issue. Could that push him out of Pittsburgh? In an offseason that has been all about upgrading a one-and-done (at best) roster, removing Watt won’t do much to deliver the franchise’s first playoff win since 2016 — one year before he arrived via Round 1."

The Steelers don't usually get major extensions done until training camp gets underway, and the organization refuses to conduct contractual business in-season. This makes these types of situations a priority once the month of August hits. Watt skipped out on OTAs and mandatory minicamp, and will likely holdout from training camp until a new deal is agreed to.

Watt missing out on training camp isn't a huge concern, but Florio alleging that the star defender is ready for any outcome is a bit concerning. That could mean many different things, including missing some of the regular season or even winding up on a different team. The likelihood of Pittsburgh trading Watt is very, very low, however. All moves made during the 2025 offseason seem to point to the organization going all-in on winning in 2025, and trading Watt would be counterproductive.

The defensive leader for Pittsburgh is a true professional, and he will be ready for the season whenever the contract is agreed to. He doesn't necessarily need training camp, and can get ready for the regular season on his own time.

Watt held-in during training camp back in 2021 before signing his first extension. He was present in Latrobe, but did not participate in any practices. This time around, he is expected to holdout completely, but that shouldn't be a concern. Watt will be ready, as he tied the single-season sack record and won the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year Award the season he held-in during training camp.

Another benefit of Watt missing some or all of training camp is that the younger edge rushers in Pittsburgh will get to see the field more during practices. This includes Nick Herbig and Jack Sawyer. Herbig has already shown he can make an impact in the NFL, while Sawyer will look to carry some momentum from his college career into the NFL.