Steelers DC Keith Butler on T.J. Watt sitting out: ‘I don’t blame him’

Keith Butler is fine with T.J. Watt holding back while he waits on a new contract.

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Last week we reminded Pittsburgh Steelers fans who were starting to worry about the absence of linebacker T.J. Watt from training camp drills that there was no reason to concern. We said at the time Watt is making a business decision while he and the team work on his contract extension and Pittsburgh defensive coordinator Keith Butler backed this up on Saturday.

“I don’t blame him for that because you don’t want to get hurt when you are trying to get your contract done . . . and lose some flexibility in terms (of a contract),” Butler said. “I don’t blame him for that. I hope they give it to him.”

In five weeks the Steelers will kick off the regular season against the Buffalo Bills. This is the deadline for Watt and the Steelers to work out a contract extension. Pittsburgh has positioned itself to make this contract work. The team is currently sitting with only $12 million in extra cap space right now, most of which is going to go to Watt when the new deal gets done.

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