Rooney: Steelers ‘Will Do Everything’ to Keep T.J. Watt Long Term

Most of the first part of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2021 offseason has been focused on getting the team under the salary cap while retaining as many players as possible from the 2020 squad.

Going forward, the Steelers have significant work to do when it comes to the 2022 team, as well. The Steelers do not negotiate contract extensions during the season, which means that the next few months are their only time to work out a new deal with star linebacker T.J. Watt before he hits free agency.

“We’re certainly going to try,” team president Art Rooney II said during a question-and-answer session with fans on Thursday. “T.J. has another year on his contract. We certainly look at T.J. as a key player in the future. I can assure you we’ll do everything we can to keep T.J. on the roster beyond this year. That is the goal.”

Watt will be playing the 2021 season under the fifth-year option of his rookie contract and is set to hit the market for the first time. He could be in line to become the highest-paid pass rusher in the league.