T.J. Watt earned a nine-figure contract extension from the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2021 after attending the team’s minicamp and training camp but sitting out during practices.
Now, history may be repeating itself.
Watt is seeking a new contract extension from the Steelers and one NFL insider is predicting the situation will play out the same as it did four years ago. CBS Sports reporter Cody Benjamin predicted that the two sides would ultimately come together on a new deal, just as they did in 2021.
“Back in 2021, fresh off a then-career-high 15 sacks, the star edge rusher reported to minicamp and training camp but refused to practice as a ‘hold-in,’ until Pittsburgh finally rewarded his production with a $112 million extension just days before the season opener,” Benjamin wrote. “Why should anyone expect a different outcome this time?”
Benjamin wrote that it was a matter of “when, not if” Watt would get a new contract extension this offseason and predicted he would land a three-year, $121.5 million deal.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin talks with outside linebacker T.J. Watt (90) against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Highmark Stadium.
Rich Barnes-Imagn Images
Watt didn’t miss a step after his 2021 “hold-in,” going on to register 22.5 sacks in that season as he tied the single-season record set by Michael Strahan.
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin expressed optimism that this contract negotiation would go the same way, ending with the team’s star player locked down for the future. But Tomlin said he could not put a timeline on when the final decision would come.
“I’m not going to get into speculation there,” Tomlin said. “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.”
