TJ Watt minicamp absence: Adam Schefter updates where Steelers, former DPOY stand

Adam Schefter just gave the latest update on where the Pittsburgh Steelers and TJ Watt stand after his minicamp absence. On The Pat McAfee Show, Schefter believes the Steelers and Watt will agree to a new contract soon.

“The Steelers feel comfortable they’ll be able to work out something eventually with TJ Watt,” Adam Schefter said. “This has been going on for a while. This is not something new and sudden other than the fact that he decided to stay away from the mandatory minicamp, which is a simple statement to make. It cost players about $107,000 to make that statement. When they put that into the collective bargaining agreement in the most recent CBA, it seemed like a lot of money. But we’re talking about upwards of $30 million a year. $107,000 is really a small pittance for these guys.”

Schefter continued, “Sometimes they feel like it’s more important to make a statement to the team about how they feel than it is to show up and avoid being fined. …These guys have made money, and they’re going to make a lot more money. So they can afford to stay away, whether it’s TJ Watt or Trey Hendrickson of Terry McLaurin.  They can afford that $107,000. Tougher for a guy like James Cook. I think Pittsburgh and TJ Watt will figure out a way to get it done and then get him into the fold.”

Pittsburgh Steelers are ‘not surprised’ about TJ Watt’s minicamp absence

Watt is entering the final year of his current contract with the Steelers. Along with missing minicamp, the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year skipped voluntary OTAs earlier this offseason as he attempted to get a new contract. Watt’s absence comes as Aaron Rodgers joined the Steelers after signing a one-year contract last week.

“Certainly we’d like him to be here, but certainly not surprised by where we are,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said earlier this week, per ESPN. “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.”

In 2021, Watt signed a four-year, $112 million contract. The pass rusher market was reset this offseason when Myles Garrett signed a new contract with the Cleveland Browns, where he’s getting $123 million in guaranteed money and averaging $40 million per year. In Watt’s career, he has registered 108 sacks and was selected to the All-Pro First Team four times.