T.J. Watt may not suit up for the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1 as he seeks a new contract, according to a report from CBS.
The report states that Watt’s status for Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills is “in doubt” barring a last-minute agreement. Watt is holding out from practice ahead of Sunday’s season opener against the Buffalo Bills as ProFootballTalk states he doesn’t want to risk injury until he has a contract in place. He has not been a full participate in a single team practice throughout training camp.
PFT added that Watt is not only seeking to become the NFL’s highest-paid defensive player, with an average annual salary exceeding $27 million per year, but to receive additional guaranteed money this season and beyond.
Watt is widely considered a favorite to win 2021 Defensive Player of the Year honors entering a contract season with the Steelers.
Watt is due $10 million in 2021, the final year on his rookie contract.
T.J. Watt has been a star pass rusher since going No. 30 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. In four seasons he has 49.5 sacks – 42.5 of which have come in the last three seasons.
