Just as Aaron Rodgers signs with the Pittsburgh Steelers and prepares to lead a new chapter for the storied franchise, the T.J. Watt skips Steelers minicamp drama is stealing the spotlight.
Watt, a seven-time Pro Bowler and face of the defense, has chosen to skip the team’s mandatory minicamp this week, and it’s not just a casual absence. His no-show is costing him a whopping $104,768 in fines, and it’s all because of one thing: money.
The Steelers were expected to be buzzing with excitement this week as Rodgers, the four-time NFL MVP and recent signee, officially settles into his new squad with a $13.7 million one-year deal. But while fans were eager to see the quarterback take the field for the first time in black and gold, the absence of T.J. Watt is casting a shadow over the team’s offseason progress.
Watt, who’s entering the final year of his $112 million contract signed in 2021, is sitting out as a clear signal that he wants a new deal, one likely to top the record-breaking $160 million contract Myles Garrett just inked with the Cleveland Browns. Garrett’s deal includes $123.5 million guaranteed, and while Watt is slightly older, he turns 31 in October, his 108 career sacks actually surpass Garrett’s total by 5.5.
That stat alone makes his case solid. Add in four All-Pro selections and the fact that he was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2021, and it’s clear Watt believes he deserves a contract that reflects his value, not just what he’s done, but what he still has left to give.
The decision to skip minicamp didn’t come out of nowhere. Watt already missed voluntary offseason activities, and back in April, he posted a cryptic Instagram story showing himself in his Steelers uniform flashing a peace sign. It didn’t go unnoticed. Fans and analysts read between the lines, trouble was brewing.
Now, it’s confirmed. The 30-year-old edge rusher is digging in, and if things don’t get resolved soon, this situation could explode by the time training camp rolls around in late July. The Steelers have not publicly commented on how negotiations are going, and Watt himself has kept quiet since that Instagram post. But skipping a mandatory camp is a big move, especially when the fine climbs quickly. Day one is $17,462. Day two? Double. It adds up fast.
Meanwhile, Rodgers is expected to make his Steelers debut at the mandatory minicamp this week. The team has announced they’ll officially introduce him in a press conference at 2:00 p.m. ET. Rodgers, who’s coming off a disappointing 5-12 season with the New York Jets, was cut earlier this year and landed in Pittsburgh looking for a fresh start, and maybe one last deep playoff run.
For Steelers fans, it’s a strange time. On one hand, they’re getting a Hall of Fame-level quarterback. On the other, their most dominant defensive player is locked in a standoff with the team. Rodgers might be used to media drama, but even he probably didn’t expect this kind of tension on day one.
If Watt and the team can’t figure something out soon, the absence could stretch into training camp. While the team gears up for a season full of expectations, missing a player like Watt from the defense could seriously impact their chances. He’s been a core piece of the Steel Curtain for eight seasons and is arguably the face of the franchise’s defense.
It’s also a reminder that, in the NFL, even longtime loyalty doesn’t guarantee smooth negotiations. Watt has given everything to Pittsburgh, but business is business. With Garrett raising the bar for defensive contracts, Watt clearly wants a slice of that same pie, and with his stats, he’s got every right to ask for it.
For now, Rodgers will take the field solo, as the Steelers try to smooth things over with Watt behind the scenes. Whether that peace sign in April was a warning or a farewell remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure, Steelers fans will be watching every move closely.
As the NFL’s offseason continues, here’s what to keep in mind:
| T.J. Watt & Steelers Minicamp Drama | Details |
|---|---|
| Watt’s Current Contract (Signed 2021) | 4 years, $112 million |
| 2025 Base Salary | $21.05 million |
| Fine for Missing Minicamp | $104,768 total |
| Days Missed | 3 (fine increases each day) |
| Myles Garrett’s New Deal | 4 years, $160 million ($123.5M guaranteed) |
| Watt Career Sacks | 108 |
| Garrett Career Sacks | 102.5 |
| All-Pro Selections (Watt) | 4 |
| Watt’s Age | 30 (31 in October) |
| Training Camp Start (Projected) | Late July |
The next few weeks will be crucial. Will Watt and the Steelers find common ground before training camp? Or will this contract standoff turn into a full-blown holdout? Rodgers may have just joined the team, but it’s clear the biggest story in Pittsburgh isn’t about who’s showing up, it’s about who isn’t.
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