Watt contract unresolved as opener nears
transitioned to game week schedule this week, there was some hope the team would have Five days and counting beforesigned Watt to a long-term deal, the season opener in Buffalo, which would give him a full and nothing has changed with week’s worth of practices in advance the status of outside linebacker of the opener.
T.J. Watt. But as he had done throughout
Watt did not practice with the camp, Watt worked on the team throughout training camp side with strength and conditioning this summer. When the Steelers coaches and was not involved in team drills.
The Steelers have a policy of not negotiating contracts once the season starts, making the next few days officially “Watt Watch” around these parts. The deadline allows the team and the player to concentrate strictly on football once the season begins and eliminates any business negotiations until after the season ends.
Watt, a two-time All-Pro selection, is seeking to become the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL.
Plenty of high- profile players through the years have signed long-term deals in the week leading up to the first game, and the expectation remains Watt will sign a new deal. A few players, including Troy Polamalu, signed one day before the game while others signed two or three days out.
While nothing notable happened on the practice field Monday concerning Watt, his not being voted as a team captain is somewhat brow-raising considering he held the role last season.
Ben Roethlisberger, Cam
Heyward and Derek Watt, T.J.’s older brother and a core member of the special teams, were named team captains in a vote by the players.
The Steelers have three more practices this week. The team will take Tuesday off followed by three consecutive practices Wednesday through Friday.
4 rookies in line to start
Coach Mike Tomlin updated his depth chart for the first time since July, and the first four members of the 2021 draft class are listed as starters.
First-round pick Najee Harris will start at running back while third-round pick Kendrick Green will start at center and fourth- round pick Dan Moore at left tackle. Second-round pick Pat Freiermuth is listed as a co-starter alongside veteran Eric Ebron.
Harris and Green had been working with the starters for most of training camp.
Moore was elevated to starting status when Zach Banner went on injured reserve last week.