Minkah Fitzpatrick Paying Close Attention to Negotiations Between Steelers, T.J. Watt

PITTSBURGH — Just about every member of the Pittsburgh Steelers seems to be paying attention to T.J. Watt’s ongoing contract negotiations with the team.

But maybe none more so than All-Pro Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who will likely be entering the exact same situation Watt is in this fall. The Steelers have already picked up the fifth-year option on Fitzpatrick’s rookie contract, which he will play under in 2022, as Watt is playing under this season.

So with the negotiations coming down to the wire, it’s definitely something that has Fitzpatrick’s interest.

“I’m paying attention to it because he’s in similar situation to where I can be in the future,” Fitzpatrick said after practice on Thursday. “I’m talking to him and I’m just kind of getting a feel for how the organization and everyone else is going about it.”

As far as the specifics of the potential deal, and Watt choosing not to participate in training camp team practices or preseason games, Fitzpatrick chose not to an offer a specific opinion.

“It is what it is,” he said. “It’s business. I don’t have too much to say about it. Everybody has a way they do business and you have to respect it.”

He did say that he expects Watt to be ready to go at near 100% for the opener this Sunday.

“No big deal,” Fitzpatrick said. “It’s T.J. Watt. … There’s no hesitation there.”