Art Rooney II is hoping the Pittsburgh Steelers can sign outside linebacker T.J. Watt to a contract before the start of the season. He also isn’t ruling out signing quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to another deal after it.

Rooney talked about the future of the team’s two most important players Tuesday when he met with select members of the media.

Watt will become a free agent in 2022 — or be in line to receive the franchise tag — if the Steelers don’t sign him to a contract before the Sept. 12 opener at Buffalo. The Steelers don’t conduct negotiations once the season starts.

Rooney declined to say if the organization has begun talks with Watt’s representatives other than to say, “We’re going to try to get it done by the start of the season.”

Watt, the NFL Defensive Player of the Year runner-up, could be in line for a deal that would triple his $10 million salary in terms of annual value.

“I try not to get optimistic or pessimistic,” Rooney said. “I’ve seen these things go so many different ways over the years. We’re just going to do our best. Both sides want to get something done, so that is a good thing.”

Nothing will be decided about Roethlisberger’s future until his 18th NFL season is complete. Roethlisberger had his contract reworked in the offseason and took a $5 million pay reduction to return for 2021. The contract will void after the Super Bowl, making Roethlisberger a free agent.

“It’s not written in stone that this is his last year,” Rooney said.

The organization, though, already has begun making some preparations for 2022, signing backup Mason Rudolph to a one-year extension and signing former first-round draft pick Dwayne Haskins.

“We’re aware this could be Ben’s last year,” Rooney said. “We hope it’s a great one. That is as far as we can go right now.”

A two-time Super Bowl champion, Roethlisberger hasn’t led the Steelers to the title game since after the 2010 season.

“There is a sense of urgency,” Rooney said. “Ben recognizes it at least could be his last year, and he wants to make sure if it is, he’s going out on a high note.”

Other topics that Rooney II addressed:

• Despite the recent spike in coronavirus cases, the Steelers are planning to have a full capacity of fans attend games at Heinz Field this season. The lone preseason home game is Aug. 21 against Detroit. The first of nine regular-season home games is Sept. 19 against Las Vegas.

“We’re keeping our fingers crossed,” he said. “We are expecting to have a full stadium, and tickets have sold like it’s going to be full capacity. For now, all systems are go.”

• The Steelers are “less than a handful” of players away from achieving a 100% vaccination rate.

• He supports commissioner Roger Goodell’s decision to make teams forfeit games that are postponed because of a failure to adhere to covid protocols.

“We’ve seen it can have a big impact if you can move a game. It had a big impact on us last year,” he said. “The commissioner has laid out the path that we’re going to play the season as scheduled, and if somebody can’t make it, they are going to bear the consequences. I’m for that.”

• On the overhaul of the NFL’s 32nd-ranked run game that features at least three new starters on the offensive line, a rookie running back and a new position coach: “I like the direction we’re going in. We have work to do and have a whole preseason here to do that kind of work to make sure we are ready for the season.”

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