May 30, 2025 5 min read

By Dale Lolley

For the Observer-Reporter

newsroom@observer-reporter.com

The Steelers kicked off the third phase of their OTA sessions earlier this week at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex and, as is usually the case, the focus was more on the players who weren’t there rather than the ones who were.

But that’s always the case, even in what is an optional portion of the offseason.

Over the years there have been plenty of players who have missed OTA sessions.

Most recently, and famously, defensive tackle Cam Heyward was absent from last year while trying to work out a contract extension.

Not only did Heyward finally get his new deal – much to the chagrin of some, who were trying to say the Steelers would be crazy to give a 35-year-old an extension – he also had one of the best seasons of his storied career.

That brings us to T.J. Watt.

Watt was not at the OTA sessions in the first week. He might not be there again this week, when the team holds the final three practices before minicamp the following week. Unlike OTAs, the minicamp is mandatory. Players who skip that will be fined, per the CBA.

You can bet Watt will be in attendance at minicamp, even if he doesn’t do anything.

That, in itself, wouldn’t be anything new. Three years ago, while going through negotiations on the deal he eventually signed just a few days before the start of the regular season in Buffalo, Watt staged a hold-in at minicamp and training camp.

He was there. He went through positional drills. But when it came time to do full team work, he went to the side and continued to work on his conditioning.

All he did after not going through a full practice until just a couple of days before the Steelers opened in Buffalo was record three tackles, two sacks, five quarterback hits and a key forced fumble as the Steelers upset the Bills in their opener.

Watt would go on to win the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award that season, tying the NFL single-season record with 22.5 sacks.

Given how things went for Watt in 2021 and Heyward last season, it does make one wonder about the need for OTA sessions, particularly for veteran players.

Ben Roethlisberger was a hit-and-miss participant over the course of his career. Troy Polamalu skipped the majority of them during his Hall of Fame career, to the point where it was noteworthy when he actually did show up for the 2012 offseason.

For young players, these sessions are very meaningful. In many cases, it’s an opportunity for them to really get better. For players who aren’t stars, they might feel the need to be in attendance at all or most sessions to ensure their roster spot. For the stars? Perhaps not so much.

Watt’s deal will eventually get done. It might not be for the $40-or-more million that Cleveland ridiculously gave Myles Garrett.

The Browns are not well-known for making sound decisions when it comes to paying players. See the massive mistake they made in giving Deshaun Watson a fully guaranteed contract.

Watt might want more than what Garrett is getting paid per season. But the reality is that just because the Browns made a massive mistake in paying him that kind of money, doesn’t mean the Steelers need to follow suit.

That being said, that doesn’t mean a contract can’t be agreed to that makes both sides happy. The Steelers want Watt in Pittsburgh. Watt wants to be in Pittsburgh.

A deal will eventually get done. And if Watt doesn’t do anything but workout on the side until that is completed, so be it. He’ll be there the first time the ball is snapped and the quarterback needs to be sacked.

• It’s amazing how much better the Pirates are and how much smarter the manager looks when the team actually hits.

One thing Don Kelly has done that his predecessor, Derek Shelton, did not, has been to play some of his younger players.

Alexander Canario needs to play regularly. Henry Davis needs to play regularly.

Now, it also hasn’t hurt the Pirates or Kelly that Spencer Horwtiz, one of the team’s big offseason acquisitions, finally recovered from an offseason wrist issue. But with more playing time, Canario and Davis have provided some spark in recent weeks.

There’s certainly more of a future there with them than there is in running 37-year-old Tommy Pham out there on a regular basis. In fact, less has been more with Pham.

It still doesn’t make up for the fact the Pirates didn’t do enough to improve their offense in the offseason. But, at least now, they can put a lineup on the field in which everyone is batting more than their respective weight.

Dale Lolley hosts The Drive on Steelers Nation Radio and writes a Sunday column for the Observer-Reporter.