Mike Tomlin 'optimistic' Steelers, OLB T.J. Watt can negotiate deal but has no timetable

T.J. Watt is among a handful of NFL players who decided to skip mandatory minicamp this week while seeking a new contract.

The next deadline for the 30-year-old outside linebacker is July 23 when the Pittsburgh Steelers report to training camp at Saint Vincent College. The first workout is scheduled for the next day.

Does coach Mike Tomlin anticipate Watt being back with the team for the start of camp?

“I’m not going to get into speculation there,” Tomlin said Thursday after minicamp concluded. “You guys know what negotiations are about.”

Watt was the highest-paid edge rusher when he signed a four-year, $112 million contract in September 2021 that included $80 million in guarantees. This offseason, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett asked to be traded before agreeing to a four-year contract that averages $40 million per season and includes $123.5 million in guarantees.

Tomlin, though, thinks the Steelers will get Watt under contract before the start of the season, when the organization ceases all negotiations with players. Four years ago, Watt ended his “hold in” when he signed a few days before the season opener in Buffalo.

“I’m optimistic we’re going to get things done because we’ve got two sides who want to get things done,” he said. “When that is going to occur, I do not know.”

Tomlin acknowledged he has been in contract with Watt this week.

But, he added, “I have no intentions of sharing any component of it with you guys.”

Fun in the sun

The Steelers are returning to afternoon practices in training camp this year after a one-year experiment of conducting morning workouts on weekdays.

Tomlin offered a rather simplistic reason for the switch back to his customary routine.

“It wasn’t hot enough last year,” he said. “Heat aids in the development of physical conditioning. It makes for a more stressful environment. That’s what we go to camp for. We go to camp to get better, and if it’s a little more miserable later in the day, man, that is what we want.”

Last year, Tomlin said logistics and a need for players to get to dinner at an earlier time were reasons for the morning practices, which began at 10:30. The change also coincided with a new strength and conditioning staff.

The Steelers also changed the way they conducted their annual conditioning test, and quarterback Russell Wilson hurt his calf pushing a blocking sled. Tomlin was asked if that part of the conditioning test will return.

“You’re going to have to show up to find out,” he said.

Tomlin added that he doesn’t expect any players to be recovering from injuries at the outset of camp, which means nobody should begin on the physically unable to perform list.

Parting words

Before he dispatched his players into a summer respite for the next five weeks, Tomlin gave his annual speech about making sure they come to training camp in superb condition.

That means different things for draft picks on the defensive line such as Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black than rookie running back Kaleb Johnson.

“I describe it as conditioning relative to their positions,” Tomlin said. “They all know what it means. They get a sense of the rigors of their roles, and they’ve got an opportunity to work alongside veterans and see the additional work they do to aid in preparation.”

Harmon will return to Dallas for his summer training program. He worked out at a sports academy there in preparation for the NFL Draft.

“They said it was going to be hot (in Latrobe),” Harmon said. “I’ll be ready for it. I’ll be in the Texas heat getting ready for that. I’m excited. I’m ready to get to work, ready to put those pads on and hit somebody.”