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The Pittsburgh Steelers have been essentially playing hardball with defensive standout TJ Watt all offseason long. Watt has been eyeing a new contract extension, and rightfully so, and has remained in practice, but has only been participating in individual drills until the extension gets done.
But, Week 1 is just days away and the Steelers and Watt have yet to reach any type of agreement. In turn, Watt is still doubling down on his stance.
TJ Watt's practice participation today was no different than training camp, Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten confirms.
Watt was at every training camp practice, but worked only in individuals and was off to the side doing his own work during team periods.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) September 6, 2021
This might be a sticky situation if the Steelers can’t get a deal done before the season starts, and not having Watt out there would be a massive blow to this defensive unit.
And, not to mention, the Steelers apparently have a rule that prevents them from negotiating contracts during the season, meaning the clock is ticking faster than ever on getting a deal done with Watt.
#Steelers All-Pro pass-rusher TJ Watt was "holding in" all of training camp and that continued today as Week 1 prep begins.
Important: #Steelers have a rule not to do extensions once the season begins. So Saturday becomes the deadline here. Deal would be huge if it gets done.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 6, 2021
Playing hardball with Watt is a confusing stance for the Steelers, especially with Ben Roethlisberger in town for one more year and JuJu Smith-Schuster also re-signing in hopes of one last run with the veteran gunslinger calling the shots.
But, without Watt, this defense is nowhere near as formidable, and now they have only a handful of days to get an extension done.