Steelers sign first-round pick T.J. Watt
PITTSBURGH 鈥� The Steelers鈥� entire 2017 draft class is now under contract. It became official when the Steelers announced the signing of first-round pick T.J. Watt to a four-year contract on Wednesday.
Not that this changes much for Watt.
鈥淚 think the whole time I knew that it was going to happen sometime before camp just to get it out the way and strictly focus on football,鈥� Watt said after practice Wednesday. 鈥淚t was basically my agent and everyone handling it anyways. I鈥檓 here to play football. Now it鈥檚 just time to get out there and prove that I鈥檓 worth that contract.鈥�
The rookie linebacker already has received plenty of work this spring, playing with the first-team defense in place of incumbent starter James Harrison, who is being rested. How that tandem will play out in the fall remains to be seen.
鈥淭oo far ahead to wonder what we鈥檙e going to do there,鈥� said linebackers coach Joey Porter said earlier Wednesday. 鈥淩ight now, he鈥檒l be out there working.鈥�
The Steelers have been impressed by what they鈥檝e seen in Watt鈥檚 preparation and work ethic. Coming from a 3-4 defense at the University of Wisconsin, Watt is familiar with the scheme. Porter reported earlier Wednesday that Watt is starting to pick up on the terminology.
A day earlier coach Mike Tomlin cautioned reporters not to read too much into anything seen from Watt 鈥� or anyone else 鈥� in spring practices held without pads.
鈥淜eep watching,鈥� Tomlin said. 鈥淲e haven鈥檛 hit anybody yet either. Guys tend to get less prepared as the contact increases. We will see.鈥�
As a first-round pick, Watt is well aware that there鈥檚 great expectations. He says he welcomes that challenge.
鈥淟ike I always say, I鈥檓 just here trying to blend into the locker room and show and win guys over with my work ethic,鈥� Watt said. 鈥淚鈥檓 not trying to come in here and do anything extra. I鈥檓 just trying to do my work, be a professional and do my job.鈥�