Steelers Confident Despite Watt’s Mysterious Absence: What’s Really Behind the Star’s Delay?

There’s something undeniably electric about a fresh face stepping onto a familiar turf — especially when it’s none other than Aaron Rodgers donning the Steelers’ black and gold for the very first time. Tuesday’s minicamp at Pittsburgh buzzed with anticipation as Rodgers took those initial snaps, but just as quickly, the excitement was tempered by the absence of a cornerstone: linebacker T.J. Watt. The four-time first-team All-Pro and fan favorite is holding out, locked in a contract standoff as his current deal nears its end. While whispers of worry fluttered around, the Steelers’ camp remained remarkably unshaken, transforming Watt’s no-show into an unexpected stage for younger talents like Jack Sawyer and Nick Herbig to showcase their hunger and grit. As the camp unfolds, the Steelers seem poised to turn what could be a moment of tension into an opportunity for growth — all while Watt’s future hangs in the balance. LEARN MORE

PITTSBURGH, Pa. — As a new notable face made his black-and-gold debut on Tuesday at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ minicamp, a familiar veteran was notably absent.Sawyer, an Ohio State hero last season, drew special praise from Austin. “He’s outstanding. Has all the football qualities you like and cherish around here.” Asked to give Sawyer a grade, Austin just smiled. “We’re in shorts right now,” he said. “I can give everybody an A at this point.”“It allows the younger guys to get more work, more reps against the first team,” Austin said. “It helps everybody, because now you have an opportunity to be an every-down guy, not just a third-down guy.”

“It allows the younger guys to get more work, more reps against the first team,” Austin said. “It helps everybody, because now you have an opportunity to be an every-down guy, not just a third-down guy.”

AdvertisementAdvertisementAaron Rodgers took his first snaps as a member of the Steelers. But just minutes before the first of three mandatory minicamps began, news broke that linebacker T.J. Watt would not be in attendance. Watt, a four-time first-team All-Pro and a Steeler mainstay, is in the final year of his current contract, and is seeking an extension.