Mark Madden: T.J. Watt not fully practicing with the Steelers isn't a problem ... yet

The Pittsburgh Steelers confirmed T.J. Watt is refusing to fully practice until he signs a long-term contract extension.

That’s not a problem.

But it won’t get Watt named Employee of the Month.

Watt already is contracted for the 2021 season and is obligated to practice as per that agreement. But the Steelers aren’t making Watt’s lack of full participation an issue as per their informal policy of never making above-the-line players know an unpleasant moment.

Watt wasn’t going to play in the first (and extra) exhibition game, anyway. (Those of us who watched wish we would have missed it, too.)

Moving forward is the potential problem, and the real story.

Watt reportedly wants a contract extension with an average annual value of $28-30 million. He wants to be the highest-paid edge rusher in NFL history. (Joey Bosa of the Los Angeles Chargers got a deal with an average annual value of $27 million.)

Watt wants quarterback money.

Actually, Watt wants way more than Ben Roethlisberger currently makes. Roethlisberger took a pay cut to $14 million this season.

Will the Steelers pay Watt what he wants? (The late Dan Rooney absolutely would not have. Mr. Rooney might have taken issue with Watt not being full go at practice, too.)

Here’s guessing $28 million to $30 million is too steep for the Steelers. Even $22 million to $24 million feels high. Watt’s prime seems in progress, and might not have more than a couple of seasons left.

But Watt wants more than Bosa and more than Cleveland’s Myles Garrett ($25 million AAV). Watt keeps score by money, not by sacks in playoff games.

As previously discussed in this space, the prudent move for the Steelers would be to franchise Watt for next season.

If he’s franchised, Watt would make $17 million. He could get by on that.

Watt is 26. When his brother J.J. was 27, his body started breaking down. J.J. has played just 60% of his team’s games since then.

But T.J. Watt won’t practice, despite being under contract, till he gets what he wants.

How will Watt react if negotiations break off? Will he keep refusing to practice? Will he miss Week 1 at Buffalo?

What will Watt do if he’s franchised next season? Will he do what Le’Veon Bell did and miss the campaign? (Bell did that when he was franchised a second time.)

Watt can be petulant. That lurks just beneath the surface. Don’t rule out anything.

Watt is present at camp. He’s working out. Not fully participating isn’t a big deal.

But it may yet be.

Watt is under contract and should do all that’s asked at practice. But this is when he’s got the most leverage. Starting the season without Watt would be crippling.

It’s not been a disastrous camp for the Steelers. But it’s not been smooth, either.

Guard Kevin Dotson has been dropped to the second team, giving way to enhancement talent Rashaad Coward, ex- of Chicago. Said coach Mike Tomlin, “(Dotson) has done nothing to earn first-team reps. He’s a second-year guy who hasn’t worked.”

Yet when it was reported in June that the coaches were unhappy because Dotson wasn’t properly prepared for minicamp, the Steelers’ media stooges denied, denied, denied.

Just like Watt’s reason for not practicing initially was concealed. Just like Tomlin denied ESPN’s report that wide receiver James Washington wants traded. Just like the Steelers denied that Watt skipped his postseason exit meeting. In 2011, the Steelers said offensive coordinator Bruce Arians “retired.” But Arians has coached ever since and guided Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl win last season.

The Steelers lie and get lots of help doing it. If they say the sky is blue, run outside to double-check. Don’t take their word for it.

Dotson definitely will start Week 1 at left guard, by the way. This is showbiz.