Steelers: TJ Watt on strike?

TJ Watt has been there for all of the Steelers’ training since the start of training camp. He made the trip to the Hall of Fame Game in Canton. But when everyone lines up 11-on-11, they sit on the sidelines and settle for individual drills.

If Mike Tomlin remains vague on the reasons for the absence of his star, Keith Butler, his defensive coordinator, may have blurted out to the press on Saturday.

 » That’s none of my business. I hope he signs his contract, it’s done, and once that’s done, we talk about it, ”Butler said when asked about when Watt’s return to the field.

And the rest seems even clearer.

“I don’t blame him because you don’t want to get hurt when you’re trying to close a deal. If you injure yourself, you lose flexibility over the contract you can sign. So I don’t blame him for that. I hope they will get there. « 

Selected in the first round of the 2017 Draft, Watt had signed a four-year contract, with an optional fifth year, which the Steelers obviously activated. It is on this optional year at 10 million dollars that the pass rusher must play the 2021 season.

Obviously, the idea is to land a huge contract that rewards his contribution to the team, and in particular the 15 sacks of last year. Until that happens, it looks like Watt is going to sit on the sidelines.