T.J. Watt’s absence from mandatory minicamp sparked widespread speculation and confusion among Pittsburgh Steelers fans. As the team’s defensive cornerstone seeks a new contract, questions emerged regarding whether the Steelers could or would waive the more than $100,000 in fines incurred during his holdout. A recent comment from a trusted insider offers a significant clue.
Will the Pittsburgh Steelers Forgive T.J. Watt’s Minicamp Fines?
During a Steelers chat hosted by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, beat writer Ray Fittipaldo addressed a fan’s concern over the hefty fine Watt faces for skipping minicamp. His response was concise but revealing: “Yes, they can and will in Watt’s case once he does sign.” That phrasing, particularly the use of “will,” has led many to conclude that Pittsburgh is already prepared to overlook the fine, provided a new deal is agreed upon.
The number at the heart of the issue is $104,768, the standard amount for players missing all days of a mandatory minicamp. While this figure would be a major penalty for most players, it pales in comparison to what Watt is likely seeking. Plus, the former Defensive Player of the Year is targeting a contract extension worth around $40 million annually, matching the salary of Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett.
Fittipaldo also noted that the negotiation process remains fairly quiet and could extend into next month, raising the possibility that Watt’s absence might stretch into training camp in July if an agreement isn’t reached soon. This extended holdout would be notable, as Watt has been a consistent presence throughout his career with the Steelers and is widely seen as the backbone of Mike Tomlin’s defense.
#Steelers superstar edge rusher T.J. Watt, who just like Trey Hendrickson is also seeking a new contract, will not attending Pittsburgh’s mandatory minicamp. He’ll be fined over $100,000 if he doesn’t attend the three days of minicamp.
— The NFL Siren | TNS (@thenflsiren) June 10, 2025
Watt, a seven-time Pro Bowler and the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year, has been under contract throughout his career in Pittsburgh. In 2025, Watt is expected to receive $21,050,000 under his current contract, according to data from Spotrac, regardless of whether a new extension is signed.
That figure already places him among the NFL’s top earners, ahead of teammates like Minkah Fitzpatrick and newcomer veterans such as DK Metcalf and Aaron Rodgers.
Still, the focus remains on finalizing a long-term deal before the regular season opener against the New York Jets. The Steelers are intent on maintaining the stability that has defined the Tomlin era, which has yet to see a losing season.
a true Pittsburgh Steelers fan, since the 70’s I hope T.J. Watt get paid real soon
Thanks for commenting and reading, Edward! I believe he will. There have been a few occasions where players didn’t get extensions until September. If that’s the case with Watt, I hope he doesn’t hold-in at camp and start the season rusty or, even worse, sustain an injury.