Mike Tomlin drops candid reaction to T.J. Watt skipping Steelers' minicamp amid contract standoff

Pittsburgh Steelers star defensive player T.J. Watt is seeking a new contract this offseason and appears set to hold out until a new deal is reached.

After missing the start of mandatory minicamp earlier this week, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin discussed the Watt situation and gave his honest reaction about his desire to see his star player back training with the team this offseason.

NFL analyst for Steelers Now Aaron Becker shared some of the quotes from a recent Tomlin media availability, during which the coach made clear that both sides are trying to get the right deal done for everyone involved.

"Certainly, we’d like him (T.J. Watt) to be here, but certainly not surprised about where we are," Tomlid told the media. "We’ve expressed a desire to get the business done. He has as well, and so, we’ll continue to work. We’ve been here before."

Watt is entering the final year of his current contract and is set to carry a cap hit of $30,418,694 in 2025. However, it appears he will not represent the Steelers until a new deal is reached.

What will T.J. Watt's next contract look like?

Watt has been one of the best defensive players in the NFL over the past five seasons and will likely want to be paid accordingly in his next contract. He leads the league in sacks over the past five seasons with 73.5 and is an NFL Defensive Player of the Year winner, a four-time First-team All-Pro, and a seven-time Pro Bowler.

According to popular contract and financial website Spotrac, Watt’s current market value is a four-year contract worth $146,551,588 ($36.6 million per season). Should he receive that deal, Watt would be in the same financial category as Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby, Nick Bosa, and Danielle Hunter.

Watt has performed as well as — if not better than — those four players and will likely be seeking a contract that equals or even surpasses the top earner in his next deal.