Steelers DC: Watt not practicing until extension resolved

T.J. Watt has been at Pittsburgh Steelers practice but isn't participating in team drills. Defensive coordinator Keith Butler says the pass-rusher is staying away until he inks a contract extension.

"I don't blame him for that because you don't want to get hurt when you're trying to get your contract done," Butler said, according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor.

The 2020 Defensive Player of the Year runner-up is entering the final season of his contract - the fifth-year option Pittsburgh exercised for $10.089 million.

Watt has cemented himself among the NFL's upper echelon, leading the league in sacks (15) and quarterback hits (41) in 2020. He's expected to cash in big after playing out his rookie contract.

"You kind of lose some flexibility in terms of what kind of contract you can sign. So, I don't blame him for that," Butler said. "I hope they get it done. As a former player rep for the players' association when I came out, I've always been for the players. I struck twice for the players. I knew I wasn't going to get the money that they get. I want them to make as much money as they can in this league. I think they deserve it."

The Steelers are working on a deal with their star defender and hope to come to an agreement sooner rather than later.

"We'd like to get T.J.'s deal done, if we can, before the start of the season. That's the goal," owner Art Rooney said earlier this week.

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