Steelers LB Watt avoids talk of contract extension

T.J. Watt is entering the final year of his contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he’s not thinking about holding out in hopes of reaching a longterm deal.

“I love this team. I love all of the coaches and this staff here and the players,” the outside linebacker said. “I am excited for this season, and that’s why I’m here.”

Watt, who led the NFL with 15 sacks last season, has remained mum on the status of his negotiations. Team officials have previously communicated interest in signing Watt, but per a long-standing team policy, the Steelers don’t negotiate contracts once the regular season begins.

Watt hasn’t seemed concerned. Instead, he’s focused on the first week of training camp workouts at the team facility in Pittsburgh.

“All those decisions aren’t mine to be made,” he said. “I am just here right now and doing my best each and every day.”

Vaccine update: The number of NFL players in the COVID-19 vaccination process has reached 80 percent, with nine teams having 90 percent or more of their players in that category.

Dr. Allen Sills, the league’s medical director, said that nearly all Tier 1 and Tier 2 team employees — those who deal directly with players — have been vaccinated. Five teams are at less than 70 percent of players who have either received one vaccination shot or both. He said he is optimistic the number of vaccinated players will continue to rise as training camps open.