Keith Butler played 10 NFL seasons, serving as a player rep during part of his time with the Seahawks. He was involved in two works stoppages in the 1980s, and remains a staunch advocate for players getting the contracts they deserve.
If the Steelers’ management and ownership wasn't aware of it before Saturday afternoon, they certainly are now.
Butler essentially confirmed two-time All-Pro edge rusher T.J. Watt is not participating in team portions of training camp as he awaits a contract extension. Watt, who’s attending camp and doing plenty of work on the side, is scheduled to make $10.089 million this season after the Steelers exercised his fifth-year option.
The team's defensive coordinator is sympathetic to the position in which the 2017 first-round draft pick now finds himself.
“I don't blame him for that because you don't want to get hurt when you are trying to get your contract done . . . and lose some flexibility in terms of the kind (deal) you can sign,” Butler said Saturday after practice at Heinz Field. “I don’t blame him for that. I hope they give it to him.”
Watt has 49.5 sacks over his four seasons in the league. He’s been the runner-up to the NFL Defensive Player of Year the past two seasons.
In an appearance on WDVE earlier this week, Steelers’ general manager Kevin Colbert denied speculation that Watt’s lack of participation in team periods was tied to his contract negotiations. Butler’s comments would seem to contradict that stance.
“Everyone knows TJ. Everyone knows he’s a good teammate,” Butler said. “He really wants to be out there, but somethings you gotta just do. This is a business. We all love to think it’s a game, but when it’s all said and done, it’s a business.”
Butler added that he doesn’t consider Watt’s absence a distraction. Mike Tomlin was asked if he believes the edge rusher will return to team drills before an extension is reached.
“I’m not speculating in that regard,” Tomlin said. “I’m just focused on today and who’s working and getting better that way. I’m sure that’s going to naturally run its course. I know he’s working hard with his trainers. We’ll see where it all leads us.”
The Steelers have a long history of not negotiating contracts once the regular season begins. If a deal isn’t reached in interim or next offseason, the club could use the franchise tag on Watt for the 2022 campaign.
Art Rooney II said Tuesday he thinks an extension will get completed before the Steelers play their regular-season opener Sept. 12 at Buffalo.
“Yeah, we’d like to get T.J.’s deal done before the start of the season. That’s the goal,” Rooney said. “I don’t like to get into those details in terms of the discussions, but we’re going to try to get it done by the start of the season.”
If the stalemate continues, it will be interesting to see whether Watt elects to rejoin the team portions of practice or remain on the sidelines as the regular season approaches. The Steelers still have three preseason games remaining.
Last summer, Browns' edge rusher Myles Garrett was given a five-year, $125 million extension with $100 million in guaranteed money. Garrett and Watt often have been linked because of their stellar production and dominance in rushing the passer within the same division.
What happens next is unclear, but there’s no doubt where Watt’s defensive coordinator stands,
“I have always been for the players,” Butler said. “I struck twice for the players (1982, 1987). I knew I wasn’t going to get the money that (the next generation would) get. I want them to make as much money as the can in this league. I think they deserve it.”
