Mike Tomlin 'Optimistic' T.J. Watt, Steelers Will Reach New Contract Amid Holdout

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin expressed a positive outlook Thursday regarding the current contract standoff between the organization and superstar pass-rusher T.J. Watt.

When asked if he believes Watt and the Steelers will be able to find some common ground, Tomlin told reporters: "I'm optimistic we're going to get things done because we got two sides that want to get things done. When that's going to occur … I do not know."

Steelers mandatory minicamp, which concluded on Thursday, was not attended by Watt this week due to his desire for a new contract, per ESPN's Brooke Pryor.

Watt previously skipped voluntary OTAs, and he is on the hook for $105,000 in fines after missing all three days of mandatory minicamp, according to Pryor.

The 30-year-old Watt signed a four-year, $112.011 million contract extension with the Steelers in 2021, and he is set to enter the final year of his contract this coming season.

Originally the No. 30 overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft out of Wisconsin, Watt has been a dominant force throughout his NFL career.

Over eight seasons in Pittsburgh, Watt is a seven-time Pro Bowler and four-time First Team All-Pro, and he won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2021 when he recorded a career-high 22.5 sacks, which tied him with New York Giants legend Michael Strahan for the all-time, single-season record.

Watt has registered 108 sacks in 121 career regular-season games, placing him first on the Steelers' all-time sack list.

He has finished with 11.5 or more sacks in six of the past seven seasons with the lone exception being 2022 when injuries limited him to 10 games.

Entering last season, Watt had led the NFL in sacks in three of the previous four seasons. That was not the case in 2024, although he did start all 17 games for a second straight year, finishing with 61 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 19 tackles for loss and a league-leading six forced fumbles.

Given his production and the fact that he has finished fourth or better in the DPOY voting in five of the past six seasons, it comes as little surprise that Watt is seeking some security ahead of a contract year.

The Steelers have finished .500 or better every year of Watt's career, and with him leading the way on defense, they have reached the playoffs in four of the past five seasons.

Pittsburgh has not won a playoff game since the 2016 season, although the front office is banking on 41-year-old future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers having something left in the tank after signing him last week.

It is possible Rodgers will only make a one-year stop in Pittsburgh, but Watt is seemingly trying to lock down his long-term future in the Steel City.