Steelers Developments Following 2025 Mini Camp

The T.J. Watt Contract Dilemma 

T.J. Watt’s empty locker told the whole story at minicamp. Watt sits in the final year of his four-year, $112 million contract he signed back in 2021. That deal made him the highest-paid defensive player at the time, but the market has shifted dramatically since then. He wants to get paid like the elite pass rusher he is, and honestly, he deserves it. You can see the records when he is in or out of the lineup. 

The financial cost of his absence? Nearly $105,000 in potential fines for skipping mandatory minicamp. This represents a major shift from his 2021 strategy, when he did a “hold in” during negotiations. This time, Watt’s sending a stronger message. Mike Tomlin keeps his optimism intact, as usual. “We’ve expressed the desire to get the business done, he has as well, and so we’ll continue to work”. Both sides want this resolved before the season starts, but these contract situations can drag on longer than anyone expects.

Nick Herbig’s Extra Reps

Here’s where things get interesting for the defense. Third-year linebacker Nick Herbig suddenly finds himself running with the first-team unit. This isn’t just about getting extra reps – it’s about accelerating his development at the perfect time.

Herbig’s torn between excitement and loyalty. “I’d love T.J. to be here, that’s my guy,” Herbig admitted. “But any chance I get to run with the ones, that’s an awesome feeling”. The kid gets it – you take advantage of every opportunity in this league. Alex Highsmith sees something familiar in Herbig’s approach. “The way he rushes, you see a lot of T.J. in him”. That’s high praise considering Herbig collected 5.5 sacks last season with limited playing time. The potential is clearly there.

Jack Sawyer’s Unexpected Opportunity

The biggest surprise? Rookie Jack Sawyer getting first-team reps. Fourth-round picks from Ohio State don’t usually jump into starting roles this quickly, but Watt’s absence created this opening. These aren’t just throwaway practice reps for Sawyer. Working alongside veterans like Cameron Heyward and Minkah Fitzpatrick provides invaluable experience that’ll pay dividends down the road. These opportunities matter more for his development than they would for an established star like Watt.

The depth Pittsburgh is building at edge rusher looks impressive. Watt, Highsmith, Herbig, and now Sawyer – that’s a rotation most teams would envy. Sometimes contract disputes create unexpected benefits, and this might be one of those situations.

Rookie Derrick Harmon Just Became an Instant Starter

Steelers fans will find out early how important it was to pick a defensive lineman in the 1st round of the 2025 draft. Defensive line coach Karl Dunbar shared the news at minicamp stating the rookie Derrick Harmon’s “our left starting defensive end. You can write that.”

The Steelers’ first-round pick earned first-team reps immediately during mandatory minicamp. Not bad for a kid who’s filling the shoes left by Larry Ogunjobi’s departure. Twenty-first overall in the draft, and now he’s lining up next to Cam Heyward and Keeanu Benton as the starting defensive line. This makes it back-to-back years where Pittsburgh’s first-round pick jumps straight into a starting role. The kid’s college numbers tell you everything you need to know about why they’re so confident. At Oregon in 2024, he put up 45 tackles, 11 for loss, and 5 sacks. Even more impressive? He led all FBS interior defenders with 55 quarterback pressures.

The Competition Behind Him

Pittsburgh’s defensive line room is absolutely packed right now. You’ve got Heyward, Benton, Daniel Ekuale, and a bunch of other guys all fighting for roster spots. Fifth-round rookie Yahya Black slides in behind Benton at nose tackle after Montravius Adams got released.

Dean Lowry, DeMarvin Leal, and Isaiah Loudermilk are all battling for backup positions. Ekuale looks like he’s got a roster spot locked up alongside the three starters. The smart money says Harmon will rotate behind Heyward and Benton in sub-packages initially. Remember, they were careful with Heyward’s snap count last season, which creates plenty of opportunities for the rotation.