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Mark Madden says T.J. Watt angrily refused his exit interview, Steelers linebacker refutes story | TribLIVE.com
Steelers/NFL

Mark Madden says T.J. Watt angrily refused his exit interview, Steelers linebacker refutes story

Tim Benz
3466768_web1_3412328-73c3054c1d7347ca8b88f4964135961c
AP
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin talks with his defense, including outside linebacker T.J. Watt, during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Pittsburgh.

During his 105.9 The X radio show on Monday, TribLive columnist Mark Madden stated that he’d been told Steelers All-Pro T.J. Watt refused to participate in his exit interview with the team. They were held with players in the days after the club lost its playoff game to the Cleveland Browns 48-37 on Jan. 10.

“I am told that T.J. Watt refused to participate in his exit interview,” Madden said to open the program. “That he was angry about something. That he just said, ‘Send my stuff to Wisconsin. I’m outta here.’”

Madden pointed out those interviews were done online, so exactly how the linebacker got that message across is unclear. As is the source of Watt’s alleged anger.

“I can’t surmise what Watt was mad about,” Madden continued. “The loss (to the Browns). The culture. Him not getting a sack or a quarterback hit against Cleveland. But T.J. Watt declined his exit interview. That, I do know.

“He’s an old school type of guy. And the Steelers are anything but old school at this point.”

If that’s true, it wouldn’t be the first time Watt has been angry with the coaching staff. He had some heated words with Keith Butler during the team’s game in Baltimore on Nov.1.

However, a few hours after Madden’s show ended, Watt denied the claim.

His brother, Steelers fullback Derek Watt, joined in the social media fray.

So did their older brother, Houston Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt.

But Madden responded to T.J. Watt’s denial of the events.

Following the report about Watt, Madden also said he has been told that vice president of football and business administration Omar Khan has been made aware that he will not be the successor to Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert, whenever Colbert decides to leave that post. But the job would be kept “in house” and given to someone else.

Madden went on to say Khan is “not happy” about that news. My guess is pro personnel coordinator Brandon Hunt would be that candidate who is currently on the staff.

Neither Khan, Colbert, Hunt nor any of the Watt brothers tweeted about that angle of the story.

Much to all of our collective disappointment.

Madden said he would be “very blunt” about the situation during his program Tuesday.

Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.

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