T.J. Watt isn’t in Pittsburgh however that doesn’t imply traces of communication between him and the group are closed. After wrapping up a three-day obligatory minicamp that Watt skipped, head coach Mike Tomlin supplied a chilled phrase as Watt’s contract negotiations transfer into the summer season break.
The PPG’s Brian Batko shared Tomlin’s ideas following Thursday’s closing follow.
Tomlin’s feedback are consistent with these from nationwide insiders. Mike Garafolo, Adam Schefter, and others have indicated the Steelers aren’t panicking over Watt’s absence and stay assured a long-term deal will get finished. Anticipated posture from any franchise however an indication issues gained’t get as ugly as they’ve in Cincinnati the place DE Trey Hendrickson and first-round DL Shemar Stewart are locked into messy disagreement with the franchise.
Tomlin confirmed confidence a long-term extension with Watt will happen, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor.
It follows what proprietor Artwork Rooney II and basic supervisor Omar Khan have stated about their dedication of retaining Watt with the Steelers for his profession. He would be part of a particular group of “one-helmet” gamers in group historical past: QB Terry Bradshaw, LB Jack Lambert, and WR Hines Ward amongst others. Even legends like RB Franco Harris, C Mike Webster, and DB Rod Woodson can’t say that.
Nonetheless, Watt’s standing relative to when the group experiences to coaching camp July 23 can be watched carefully. If he was prepared to overlook a compulsory minicamp and topic himself to over $100,000 of fines, is he prepared to do the identical with coaching camp? Nonetheless, it wouldn’t be stunning if Watt reported to Latrobe with the remainder of his teammates. Pittsburgh has a long-standing coverage of not negotiating contracts when gamers maintain out as WR Hines Ward came upon within the early 2000s.
Even Tomlin admits a timeline for Watt’s extension is unclear. Ideally, an extension is struck over the six-week layoff. That will make Watt a full-go as soon as coaching camp begins and will get forward of offers for the Dallas Cowboys’ Micah Parsons and Detroit Lions’ Aidan Hutchinson, two gamers additionally searching for extensions that would drive up Watt’s price ticket. Usually, the Steelers get offers finished final second and that ought to be the anticipated timeline with Watt. A contract struck anytime sooner can be a bonus.
