Mike Tomlin unconcerned by T.J. Watt’s lack of practice reps during contract negotiations

Mike Tomlin wouldn’t reveal who made the decision that star defender T.J. Watt would sit out team drills during this Pittsburgh Steelers training camp. But Tomlin said he is unconcerned that Watt is limited in his work while his representatives and the team negotiate a contract extension.

“The business is going to run its course,” Tomlin said during a news conference Tuesday at Heinz Field. “(Watt) is highly conditioned. The strength staff is working with him. He’s getting in good work days. The process is running its course. In the meanwhile, man, I’m focusing on the guys that are working, their level of productivity and what type of days they’ve been having.”

A finalist for AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year each of the past two seasons, Watt is set to play 2021 under the terms of the fifth-year contract option ($10.1 million). His new contract figures to average in the range of $25-30 million a year or more with a sizable bonus and guarantees.

Watt has been present at every camp practice, and he regularly does a variety of individual drills on the sidelines or runs sprints in an end zone.

Watt has not been available to media since after the first practice three weeks ago. At that point, when asked about his lack of participation of team drills, Watt said he was not injured.

“It’s a long process,” Watt said July 22. “We are here a week earlier than we normally are, and I am just trying to progress the proper way. … It’s a marathon not a sprint. I’m trying to do everything the right way.”

Defensive coordinator Keith Butler on Saturday was the first member of organization to acknowledge that Watt sitting out team drills was related directly to his contract. The team-imposed deadline to ink a new deal is the start of the regular season Sept. 12. Tomlin wouldn’t speculate what would or could happen if Watt never practices fully until then.

“That negotiation process is going to run its course,” Tomlin said. “Some run their courses faster than others. If I remember correctly, (defensive lineman) Cam Heyward had less than 100% participation when he was in a similar circumstance (last year at camp).”

The Steelers play at the Philadelphia Eagles in a preseason game Thursday. Two other preseason games follow.

Asked whether the decision to hold Watt out from practice drills was Watt’s or his agent’s or Tomlin’s or general manager Kevin Colbert’s or someone else’s, Tomlin demurred.

“I am not going to peel back the curtain in regards to that,” he said. “It is unnecessary and all it does is add to the brush fire. We are just going to focus on the ball.”

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