The second round of the first round of the Pittsburgh Steelers, TJ Watt, participated in an exercise during a recruit of NFL football, on May 12, 2017 in Pittsburgh. (AP photo / Keith Srakocic, file)
Pittsburgh (AP) – Pittsburgh Steelers Star Star, TJ Watt, jumped the start of the mini -cap compulsory on Tuesday, sending a message not so subtle to the only team for which he ever played for his desire to return a new contract before the start of next season.
The quadruple defensive player of the year All-Pro and 2021 AP NFL is about to enter the last season of the four-year extension that he signed in September 2021. The $ 112 million pact made Watt the best paid defender of the League at the time.
This number has been overshadowed several times in the past four years, notably by the star of Cleveland Myles Garrett, who signed an agreement in March which made him the most well-composed quarter of the League at $ 40 million per season.
“We would certainly like to be here, but certainly not surprised where we are,” said Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin. “We have expressed the desire to do the business, he also has it, and we will therefore continue to work. We have already been here. ”
The decision to skip the mini-camp is a change compared to the approach of Watt in 2021, when it did a “maintenance” during the mini-camp and the training camp before designing a contract on the eve of the regular season.
Tomlin said he was not concerned about Watt’s long-term future in Pittsburgh and refused to comment if Watt gave the organization a warning that he would remain at home in Wisconsin rather than joining the 89 other players on the list, including the recently signed quarter-rear.
Watt equaled an NFL record by obtaining 22 1/2 bags after having signed its current extension. He again directed the league in bags in 2023, although this number increased to 11 1/2 last season, the least Watt in a year in which he did not miss extended time because of an injury since he was recruited in 2017.
The defensive coordinator Teryl Austin thinks that the absence of Watt will offer opportunities to young players such as the third year outside second year Nick Herbig and the recruit Jack Sawyer.
Maybe, but no more the CV changing the situation of Watt. Watt, which will be 31 years old in October, is the defense gable that helped the Steelers contain despite the heavy unsubscription rate in the quarter since the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger in January 2022.
Rodgers will have his chance after accepting a one -year contract last week. The quadruple MVP of the NFL has undergone individual exercises but has spent most of the session to chat with its new teammates and follow a game sheet.
