If Aaron Rodgers was expecting it to be all about him on Tuesday at the Pittsburgh Steelers, the 41-year-old quarterback is clearly mistaken.
By JACK BEZANTS, US DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR
Published: 09:00 EDT, 10 June 2025 | Updated: 17:32 EDT, 10 June 2025
If Aaron Rodgers was expecting it to be all about him on Tuesday at the Pittsburgh Steelers, he is mistaken.
On the day that Rodgers will be unveiled as the new quarterback for the organization, linebacker TJ Watt chose to skip the first day of voluntary OTAs due to a contract standoff with his team.
The 30-year-old has made no secret of his desire to land a new deal, posting cryptic hints on social media over the offseason as he enters the final year of his current deal.
Now, there can be no hiding how he feels. Watt wants a new long-term agreement with the team but as per multiple reports Tuesday morning, no progress has been made.
In April, Watt posted a picture of him giving a 'peace out' sign on the field, another signal that he was considering his future in Pittsburgh.
The 2025 season is the last of his four-year, $112 million extension he signed in 2021. He will receive $21.05 million in 2025.
TJ Watt is missing OTAs Tuesday with the Pittsburgh Steelers - he wants a new contract
It comes amid Aaron Rodgers' first day of practice as the new quarterback for Pittsburgh
A seven-time Pro Bowl selection, Watt recorded 11.5 sacks last season to reach double digits for the sixth time in his eight-year career.
He also registered an NFL-best six forced fumbles in 17 games.
Watt has 108 career sacks in 121 games (all starts) with Pittsburgh. He was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 when he had a career-high 22.5 sacks to match the official league record (since 1982).
Rodgers, meanwhile, will address the media on Tuesday after practice for the first time since putting pen to paper.
He signed a one-year deal worth $13million with the Steelers, which could rise to around $20m depending on the team's success in 2025.