In a deliberate show of support, Mike Tomlin and Kevin Colbert were conspicuous in representing the Pittsburgh Steelers organization by standing and watching silently throughout the full 12 minutes of T.J. Watt’s news conference Friday afternoon.

Colbert and Tomlin did not speak. Instead they flanked a makeshift dais near midfield of the cavernous indoor practice field at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex as Watt made his first public comments since signing a contract that could tie him to the Steelers through 2025 and pay him upwards of $120 million for doing so.

Appearing palpably relieved now that he’s unburdened from the drama and uncertainty of the months of negotiations, Watt emphasized that he would work to show the investment the Steelers made in him was not one they will regret.

“It is my mission to everybody in this room, everybody (in the organization), to prove them right that they made the right decision,” Watt said. “That hunger has not gone away, it has gotten stronger. I’m so happy to be here in the city of Pittsburgh for many, many more years to come. A Super Bowl is definitely, definitely a true possibility — and I believe that in my heart of hearts.”

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 10, 2021

In making the previously reported contract official in a Friday morning release, the Steelers termed the pact as a five-year deal by including 2021. Viewed that way, the $10.09 million fifth-year option Watt previously was to play 2021 under effectively was ripped up, leaving a contract worth a widely reported $122 million over five years.

Another way to look at it is as a four-year, $112 million extension that makes Watt the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player in terms of average annual value ($28 million).

No matter how it’s defined, the pact includes a reported $80 million in guarantees. The haggling over that figure is believed to be what held up the deal until days before the season opener. The Steelers never had guaranteed future salary to a player.

It was not lost on the 26-year-old outside linebacker that he was something of a trailblazer in compelling one of the NFL’s flagship franchises to break from one of its longstanding policies.

“I’m just trying to leave a legacy in everything I do on the field,” Watt said. “I know that there are going to be guys that come after me and all the guys before laid such a great groundwork for us, not only on the field but off the field. I’m just trying to continue that tradition.”

Under the contract’s reported terms, Watt’s salary cap hit for 2021 dropped by more than $2 million — but it will rise significantly beginning next season.

That can be maneuvered around in the future, though, as a small price to pay in locking up a player who was a finalist for NFL Defensive Player of the Year each of the past two seasons.

The Steelers, at last, are free of the cloud of uncertainty that had enveloped their best player throughout training camp.

“There’s a sense of relief,” Tomlin said before Watt spoke after Friday’s practice. “We can get focused on (preparing for games) … In circumstances like this, I field a bunch of questions regarding it, and I like to focus my energies on the Buffalo Bills.

“He’s deserving. We are glad to have him. It’s good for all parties involved.”

The Steelers open the season Sunday at reigning AFC finalist Buffalo. Per the practice report, Watt has practiced fully all this week. Through the first seven weeks of training camp, Watt did not take part in team drills in a purported effort to avoid risk of injury while the contract was being negotiated.

As the season approached, concern about Watt’s game shape grew. Tomlin on Friday reiterated what he has said earlier in the week about Watt’s readiness for live NFL game action.

“I don’t have any reservations about his participation,” Tomlin said. “I expect him to be T.J. Watt.”

— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) September 10, 2021

While acknowledging the difference between cardiovascular shape and NFL “game shape,” Watt said data from GPS trackers relayed that his work during this camp was on par with what he’d done during the 2020 camp and even was “in the top percentile of the guys that were active practicing.”

Watt was on the field for every practice, joining his teammates for stretches and individual drills but breaking off on his own (or with injured teammates) when 11-on-11 work began to run sprints, push blocking sleds and mimic game-like activities such as pass-rushing moves.

“(The strength and conditioning staff) made sure I was ready,” Watt said. “This week in practice I felt great. I feel very, very confident, but at the same time, I also have to be smart and make sure that if I am feeling super gassed, I take myself out of the game.”

Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)