As Steelers prepare to open camp, T.J. Watt's contract represents biggest off-field issue

When he reported to mandatory minicamp after skipping all of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ optional organized team activities, T.J. Watt said he wasn’t going to talk about his contract situation.

No long-term deal has been struck since the Steelers broke for their summer hiatus in mid-June, meaning Watt’s contract uncertainty will be the most pressing off-field issue of training camp.

The Steelers cease contract negotiations once the regular season commences, meaning they have until Sept. 12 to sign the NFL’s defensive player of the year runner-up to a second contract.

The deal could be the largest given to a non-quarterback in franchise history. Watt’s play in his first four NFL seasons could land him a deal comparable to the five-year, $135 million contract that the Los Angeles Chargers gave edge rusher Joey Bosa. Cleveland’s Myles Garrett, like Watt a member of the 2017 draft class, is averaging $25 million a year under his new contract.

By comparison, Watt’s $10.089 million salary for 2021 represents a bargain. His salary is based on the fifth-year option the Steelers exercised in the spring of 2020.

Unlike 2021 when the Steelers had to release players in order to get under the salary cap, they will face no such financial obstacles next year. According to salary-tracking website, overthecap.com, the Steelers have $75 million in cap space available for 2022. Only the Indianapolis Colts, with $83 million, are targeted to have more money to spend. Spotrac.com pegs the Steelers’ cap spending at $76 million, putting them behind the Colts and New York Jets.

Thanks to the influx of money provided by the national television contracts that recently were negotiated, owners will have plenty of cash to spend next offseason. The Steelers would prefer to get business done with Watt prior to the offseason when they likely would have to use the franchise tag on him for 2022.

The Steelers have no other impending business with members of the 2018 draft class who could become free agents in 2022, although they could try to lock up tackle Chuks Okorafor, who is entering his first full NFL season as a starter.

A few other off-the-field issues that could involve the Steelers before they kick off against Buffalo on Sept. 12:

• Quarterback Dwayne Haskins was the victim of domestic assault, with his wife being charged following a July 3 incident in Las Vegas. His wife faces a hearing Aug. 3 in Nevada, and Haskins could be required to testify next month, although the hearing could be postponed.

Haskins, 24, is trying to start his career anew after a turbulent end to his two seasons in Washington when he was repeat violator of covid-19 protocols. The Steelers have provided that life raft to Haskins, and he doesn’t need a domestic court case distracting from his attempt to earn a spot on the 53-man roster.

• The NFL has come a long way since covid-19 forced the cancellation of the entire preseason last year, but that doesn’t mean the league is in the clear as training camp approaches.

The Associated Press reported this week that two teams remain under 50% vaccinated. The Steelers are on the other end of the spectrum. They reportedly are among 13 teams that have reached an 85% vaccination rate.

Vaccinated players face less stringent covid-19 protocols and aren’t subjected to daily testing, social distancing or mandated quarantining following exposure to an infected individual. Teams with high vaccination rates also will face fewer travel restrictions, which will come into play for the Steelers when they open in Canton, Ohio, at the Hall of Fame Game and then travel to Philadelphia on Aug. 12.