‘All These Transactions Are a Wash’ — Ex-NFL QB Rips Steelers for T.J. Watt Contract Delay

Pittsburgh’s championship aspirations for 2025 have reached fever pitch with the arrival of future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers and elite talents like DK Metcalf, Jalen Ramsey, and Jonnu Smith.

The Steelers have loaded up for what Rodgers acknowledges will likely be his final season, creating palpable excitement throughout the city.

Yet beneath this optimism lies a critical unresolved issue that threatens to undermine everything: T.J. Watt’s contract situation continues to fester as the defensive cornerstone remains unsigned heading into training camp.

Analyst Blasts Pittsburgh Steelers for Delaying T.J. Watt Contract Amid High-Stakes 2025 Season

Watt, who anchors the Steelers’ defense and has terrorized opposing quarterbacks for years, is entering the final season of his four-year, $112 million deal. The All-Pro edge rusher skipped mandatory minicamp in June, sending a clear message as negotiations drag on without resolution.

Following Myles Garrett’s market-resetting extension with Cleveland, Watt reportedly seeks a new contract that properly reflects his standing among the NFL’s elite pass rushers. With the Steelers positioning themselves as legitimate Super Bowl contenders, many around the league wonder why this crucial piece of business remains unfinished.

Former Bills quarterback and current analyst EJ Manuel is among them.

“If they don’t sign T.J. Watt, all these offseason transactions are a wash. They mean nothing,” Manuel said. “I don’t understand why they waited so long to do this. How do you have to wait to pay somebody who’s been a bookend defensive end, not only in this league, but for your football team? If I’m him, I would be upset at this point.”

“If they don’t sign T.J. Watt, all these offseason transactions are a wash. They mean nothing.”@EJManuel3 doesn’t understand why the Steelers have waited to get this deal done. pic.twitter.com/hZb6jZV2yY

— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) July 2, 2025

Manuel’s frustration resonates throughout Pittsburgh and beyond. Fans, analysts, and even teammates struggle to comprehend how the organization could allow its defensive captain to feel undervalued during what should be a season of unified purpose and championship expectations.

Steelers Risk Derailing Super Bowl Hopes by Delaying Watt Deal As Leader Remains Absent From Camp

Watt represents far more than impressive statistics and highlight-reel plays. He serves as the emotional heartbeat of Pittsburgh’s defense, the type of player who single-handedly shifts momentum, elevates his teammates’ performance, and personifies the blue-collar toughness that has defined Steelers football for generations.

With training camp rapidly approaching, his absence creates a void that grows more conspicuous each day. While Rodgers works to build chemistry with his new receiving corps and the offense installs its championship blueprint, the team’s defensive foundation remains incomplete without its cornerstone player participating.

The ramifications extend beyond football strategy. Watt’s situation sends ripples through the locker room, where players watch closely to see how the organization treats one of their most accomplished and dedicated teammates.

In a sport where chemistry and trust prove as vital as talent, allowing this impasse to continue risks fracturing the delicate balance required for championship success.

The Steelers’ handling of this negotiation in the coming weeks could determine the trajectory of their entire season. The decision carries weight beyond wins and losses, potentially affecting whether the collection of stars they’ve assembled can truly coalesce into a championship-caliber unit, or if their failure to secure their defensive leader becomes the fatal flaw in an otherwise promising campaign.

For a franchise that has built its legacy on loyalty, stability, and taking care of its core players, the prolonged uncertainty surrounding Watt’s future feels distinctly out of character.

Each passing day without resolution adds another layer of tension to what should be an exhilarating pursuit of the franchise’s seventh Lombardi Trophy. The clock continues ticking, and Pittsburgh’s championship window with Rodgers won’t remain open indefinitely.