TJ Watt is in the final year of his contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Like his older brother, the young Watt developed into one of the more feared pass rushers in the league over the last few seasons.
Surely the Steelers want to keep him long term but the contract negotiations are in full swing. But it seems like Watt is purely focused on football at the moment.
On Tuesday, Watt answered the question about his contract talks .
“TJ Watt, says with a smile: ‘With respect to the process, I'm not going to be talking about any contract stuff today,’” ESPN’s Brooke Pryor tweeted.
Watt is due a little over $10 million in 2021 but it is the 5th year option in his contract, meaning he needs a new deal since his rookie deal will expire after the season.
Last season, Watt finished with 53 total tackles, 43 solo tackles, 23 tackles for loss (career high), 15 sacks (career high), one interception, seven pass deflections and two forced fumbles. In his career since 2017, Watt has 230 total tackles, 168 solo tackles, 59 tackles for loss, 49.5 sacks, four interceptions, 25 pass deflections, 17 forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.
In his last interview before passing away, Steelers legend and Super Bowl XXX champion Kevin Greene lauded Watt’s play on the Steelers defense.
"He looks, to me, to be the most complete linebacker in the NFL right now, whether inside or outside," Greene said last year. "He rushes, plays the run hard, drops in coverage, hunts people with a hunter's heart. I really like the way he is playing, and I say that over Khalil Mack and Von Miller or any of those guys, or any of the interior guys you could mention. I know I'm a Steeler - and maybe I'm being a little prejudiced there - but I really like him and the way he operates."
Watt was the No. 30 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Steelers after he had a stellar 2016 campaign at Wisconsin.
Watt played just two seasons with the Badgers but played sparingly over eight games in 2015. In 2016, Watt finished his final college season with 63 total tackles, 38 solo tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, one interception, four pass deflections, one fumble recovery, two fumble recoveries and one defensive touchdown.
As a member of the Class of 2013, Watt was a three-star prospect according to the 247Sports composite rankings. He was the No. 6 overall prospect in the state of Wisconsin, the No. 65 overall athlete in the class and the No. 942 overall prospect in the class.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are scheduled to open the regular season on the road against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, September 12th at 1:00 p.m. ET.