PITTSBURGH, PA – AUGUST 21: T.J. Watt #90 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on prior to the game against the Detroit Lions at Heinz Field on August 21, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt status for the team’s Week 1 game against the Buffalo Bills is far from certain.
The Pittsburgh Steeler are set to begin their all-important 2021 season, in what very well could be the final year Ben Roethlisberger starts under center for the team. With a Week 1 meeting against the Buffalo Bills on the horizon, it is uncertain if the Steelers will have linebacker T.J. Watt on the field.
According ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, Watt was only on the field for individual drills and worked on the side during team periods during Monday’s practice. That is the same thing Watt did throughout Steelers training camp.
Steelers: T.J. Watt status for Week 1 uncertain
It is notable that Watt is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this upcoming season. While he was not holding out from camp, he was “holding in” as he awaits for a new deal. As Ari Meirov of Pro Football Focus points out, the Steelers do not negotiate contract extensions during the season, so that means the team and Watt have until Saturday to reach an agreement.
Watt is coming off an impressive 2020 campaign where he recorded 53 total tackles (23 for loss), 41 quarterback hits, 15 sacks, seven defended passes, two forced fumbles and one interception through 15 games. In his first four years, Watt accumulated 230 total tackles (59 for loss), 111 quarterback hits, 49.5 sacks, 25 defended passes, 17 forced fumbles and four interceptions.
The linebacker’s status will be something to monitor as the week progresses and the Steelers can not afford him to be off the field for an important game against the Bills.