T.J. Watt skips Steelers' mandatory minicamp

Pittsburgh Steelers star T.J. Watt is not attending this week's mandatory minicamp amid contract negotiations, which the team anticipated.

The All-Pro outside linebacker, who is entering the final year of his current deal, was also a no-show for voluntary OTAs earlier this offseason.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday, "Certainly we'd like him to be here, but certainly not surprised by where we are. We've expressed the desire to get the business done he has as well, and so we'll continue to work. We've been here before."

Watt, 30, would be subject to more than $104,000 in fines if he misses all three days of the minicamp. The NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement permits daily fines if players are absent from mandatory offseason activities and practices without team approval.

The market for elite pass rushers has accelerated since 2021, when Watt signed a five-year, $112 million contract with $80 million guaranteed.

In March, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett signed a four-year, $160 million deal with $123.5 million guaranteed. It reset the market as the richest deal in NFL history for a non-quarterback.

Watt was selected to the Pro Bowl each of the past seven years, and he made first-time All-Pro in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023. He was the NFL's 2021 Defensive Player of the Year after tallying a career-high 22.5 sacks.

In 2024, Watt led the NFL with six forced fumbles while logging 11.5 sacks, 61 tackles, four passes defended and two fumble recoveries in 17 games.

Over his eight-year NFL career, all with the Steelers, Watt has 108 sacks, 462 tackles, 33 forced fumbles, 12 fumble recoveries, 49 passes defensed and seven interceptions.

--Field Level Media