Pair of Steelers' stars highlight day one of OTAs after failing to show up to phase three of offseason workouts in Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Steelers started phase three of the offseason on Tuesday, with players reporting in helmets for Organized Team Activities. Many familiar and new faces were present for day one of what is a nine-day stretch of practice over the next three weeks that will bring the team together before their summer vacation. But two […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers started phase three of the offseason on Tuesday, with players reporting in helmets for Organized Team Activities.
Many familiar and new faces were present for day one of what is a nine-day stretch of practice over the next three weeks that will bring the team together before their summer vacation.
But two of the biggest names on the team were missing and perhaps for different reasons…
No T.J. Watt, DK Metcalf at day one of Steelers OTAs
Now, Watts' absence comes as no surprise. Ever since Watt sent Steelers Nation ablaze with his viral Instagram story, there has been nonstop speculation about his future. The reality is, barring something entirely unforeseen, Watt will sign a massive contract extension this offseason, likely tying him to the team through his mid-30s.
When that happens? Probably sometime around training camp. A similar situation occurred with Watt before his last extension, and Cam Heyward skipped the early portion of OTAs last year before signing a new deal around the start of the season.
Watt is as selfless a superstar that we have in this league, but he looks up and sees players whom he has bested in key categories getting paid more than him and so he's taking a stand by sitting out.
As for Metcalf, that one is a little more interesting. Part of me says, well, this is simply voluntary, and maybe he knows that his actual quarterback isn't in attendance either. The other part of me says, this is a great chance to get indoctrinated with your teammates and serve as the leader of a WR corps that desperately needs a voice.
Sure Robert Woods can provide that voice, but he's going to slot in somewhere between WR #2-4 on the depth chart. He's no Metcalf in terms of superstardom. So the next two weeks will be interesting.
I fully expect Watt to sit out all parts of phase three, including mandatory minicamp, until he receives what he believes to be fair value in a new deal. I do expect Metcalf to show up to mandatory minicamp, and perhaps a certain quarterback joins him.
