As Aaron Rodgers makes his Steelers debut in June 2025, T.J. Watt's contract holdout creates major drama. Can Pittsburgh manage these two superstar sagas?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The air at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Wednesday was thick with a strange mix of exhilaration and anxiety. On one field, future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers took his first official snaps in black and gold, a sight that sent a jolt of Super Bowl hope through Steeler Nation. But on the sideline, a conspicuous absence loomed large, as defensive kingpin T.J. Watt began a contract holdout, creating a dramatic storyline that perfectly encapsulates the team's high-risk, high-reward 2025 season.
We’ve expressed the desire to get the business done, he has as well, and so we’ll continue to work. We’ve been here before.
It was a 'beginning day,' as described by the team, but it felt like much more. Forty-one-year-old Aaron Rodgers, fresh off a remarkable 3,897-yard, 28-touchdown season with the Jets, looked sharp and in command, beginning the process of building chemistry with his new weapons, most notably star receiver DK Metcalf. After a 10-7 finish last season, the message from the organization is clear: a simple playoff berth is no longer the goal. With Rodgers at the helm, the Steelers are aiming to challenge the AFC's elite, and his first practice was the first tangible step on that journey.
While Rodgers worked with the offense, the defense was missing its heart and soul. T.J. Watt, entering the final year of his deal, made his intentions clear by skipping the start of mandatory minicamp. This marks an escalation from his 'hold-in' during his last negotiation in 2021. Coach Mike Tomlin addressed the situation with his typical calm demeanor, expressing confidence a deal would get done. Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin echoed that sentiment, but the reality is that every rep Watt misses is a rep without the 2021 Defensive Player of the Year on the field. The business of football is casting a shadow over the start of camp.
As if the Watt drama wasn't enough, the offense took a brutal hit with the confirmation that tight end Donald Parham Jr. suffered a torn Achilles. He has been placed on injured reserve, ending his 2025 season before it began. Parham was signed as a key free agent target, a big-bodied red zone threat expected to be a favorite of Rodgers. His loss is a significant blow to the team's offensive plans. The front office may now be forced to explore the trade market, with names like Atlanta's Kyle Pitts and the Bengals' Jonnu Smith being floated as potential, albeit costly, replacements.
Every absence creates an opportunity, and with Watt sidelined, the Steelers are getting an extended look at their young linebacker depth. Second-year player Nick Herbig and rookie Jack Sawyer are taking first-team reps, a valuable trial-by-fire for the backups. While Teryl Austin noted that neither can replicate Watt's game-wrecking ability, the extra work is crucial for building reliable depth. It's a silver lining to a tense situation, allowing the coaching staff to evaluate who can step up when called upon.
The Steelers are officially in a high-stakes, win-now window. The arrival of Aaron Rodgers brings a level of offensive promise not seen in years, but it's tempered by the harsh realities of the NFL. A contract standoff with a defensive cornerstone and a devastating injury to a key offensive piece are major hurdles. The next few weeks will be telling, as the front office must navigate contract negotiations and potentially the trade market. The road to the AFC North crown is paved with both immense potential and significant obstacles.
