When the Pittsburgh Steelers took the field for the start of their Organized Team Activities (OTAs) in May 2025, one shadow was missing from the turf at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex. T.J. Watt.
It wasn’t just a "vet day" or a minor scheduling conflict. The star edge rusher—the man who basically carries the soul of the Pittsburgh defense on his shoulders—was nowhere to be found.
Usually, a superstar missing voluntary workouts is just a blip on the radar. But for Watt, this felt different. It was a calculated move.
The tj watt steelers ota absence wasn't about laziness or a desire for a longer vacation. Honestly, it was about leverage. At nearly 31 years old and entering the final year of his existing contract, Watt was looking at a market that had completely shifted beneath his feet. When he signed his $112 million deal back in 2021, $28 million a year was the gold standard. By the spring of 2025, guys like Myles Garrett were touching the $40 million mark.
Basically, the best defensive player in the league was being paid like a top-ten one, and he knew it.
The Real Reason Behind the Absence
Most fans get worried when they see "DNP" (Did Not Participate) next to a name like Watt's. They think injury. They think trade. But in this case, the tj watt steelers ota absence was a classic business play. Watt has always been a "lead by example" guy, so skipping voluntary sessions sent a louder message than any tweet or press release ever could.
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He wanted a seat at the table.
Steelers GM Omar Khan is known for being shrewd, but he also knows you don't let a generational talent like Watt walk away. The pressure was on. Insiders like Mark Kaboly noted early on that Watt was the only player on the roster with a legitimate "contract issue" heading into the 2025 season.
While the workouts were technically voluntary, the absence stretched into June's mandatory minicamp. That’s when things got expensive. By missing those three days of minicamp, Watt racked up over $100,000 in fines. For a guy making millions, that’s chump change, but it’s a symbolic line in the sand. It says, "I'm serious."
A Quick Look at the Financial Stakes:
- Previous Contract: 4 years, $112 million ($28M AAV)
- The Market Shift: Myles Garrett’s deal hit the $40M/year mark.
- The "Gap": Watt was essentially playing for $12 million less per year than his primary rival in Cleveland.
How the Steelers Responded
You’d think the coaching staff would be annoyed. But Mike Tomlin has been around long enough to know how this dance goes. He didn't blink. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin told reporters at the time that they weren't "getting caught up" in who was there and who wasn't. They knew T.J. would be in shape.
And he was.
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While the media was buzzing about a potential holdout during training camp, the Steelers did what they usually do: they took care of their own. On July 22, 2025, the team officially announced a new three-year, $123 million extension for Watt.
That contract didn't just end the tj watt steelers ota absence drama; it made him one of the highest-paid defensive players in NFL history, with $108 million fully guaranteed. It was a massive win for Watt and a sigh of relief for a city that lives and dies by its pass rush.
The 2025 Season: From Absence to Adversity
Once the money was settled, you’d think it would be smooth sailing. It wasn't. Football is a brutal game, and 2025 tested Watt in ways he hadn't seen before.
He didn't miss games because of the contract. He missed games because of a freak medical accident. In December 2025, Watt suffered a partially collapsed lung during a routine "dry needling" treatment at the team facility. It was a bizarre, scary situation that sidelined him for three critical games late in the year.
Despite that, the man is a machine. He fought back to play in the regular-season finale against Baltimore, helping the Steelers clinch the AFC North.
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What This Means for the Future
Looking at the 2026 landscape, the Steelers are in a weird spot. They have the cap space—about $65 million of it—but they also have a 31-year-old superstar who has seen his fair share of injuries lately.
The tj watt steelers ota absence of 2025 was the first domino in a long, complicated year. Now, as the team heads into another offseason following a disappointing Wild Card loss to the Texans, the focus isn't on the contract anymore. It's on the window.
Watt himself sounded frustrated after the 2025 playoff exit. He’s tired of the "same story" of one-and-done postseasons.
Actionable Insights for Steelers Fans:
- Don't Panic at Voluntary Absences: In 2026, if you see Watt or other veterans skipping OTAs, remember the 2025 playbook. It's often about body maintenance or minor leverage, not a lack of commitment.
- Watch the "Hold-in": If a contract dispute arises again, expect a "hold-in" (showing up but not practicing) rather than a "hold-out." It avoids the heavy fines established in the current CBA.
- Monitor the Secondary Market: The value of edge rushers will only go up. Keep an eye on Micah Parsons’ next deal; it will likely set the floor for whatever happens with Watt’s next (and potentially final) big extension.
The tj watt steelers ota absence was ultimately just a footnote in a season defined by a massive payday and a scary injury, but it proved one thing: T.J. Watt knows his worth, and the Steelers are willing to pay it.