Pelissero: Steelers' TJ Watt Is Growing Frustrated Over Quarterback Uncertainty In Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers still need a reliable, starting-caliber quarterback on their roster for 2025. There are only two guys in the room currently. Aaron Rodgers will most likely sign soon, but he also could shockingly opt not to. There are certainly options in the upcoming draft for that position. Steeler Nation has been getting sick and tired of all the rumors around the situation and they want a little less talk -- and a lot more action. However, they are not the only ones that are frustrated with the state of affairs in the Steel City.

While acting as a guest host for The Rich Eisen Show, insider Tom Pelissero talked about a player that is done with the whole situation, and it could be a possible motivation for a recent viral post.

"I would fairly tell you TJ Watt probably is getting a little sick of waiting on the quarterback question as well," said Pelissero.

TJ Watt posted a picture of himself giving the peace sign on his Instagram story recently. That sign is usually used when someone is leaving, which in this case, would signify that the generational edge rusher wants to be out of Pittsburgh entirely. This would be a crushing blow to the Steelers.

Going back to the theme of things that fans are sick of hearing, Watt has never won a playoff game, and he is now on the wrong side of 30. Who knows when his production will fall off? Some say it has already started. Staying in Pittsburgh could lead to Watt being one of the greatest players ever to not experience a postseason victory, however.

The Steelers' quarterback conundrum does not help with that at all. Many of the top options on the open market were quick to choose other teams, including one of their 2024 options: Justin Fields. Now, 41-year-old Rodgers is the only free agent that reportedly wants to be a Steeler, but he refuses to actually put pen to paper and make it official.

The Steelers have interviewed with numerous quarterback prospects, but none of them are NFL-ready starters just yet. Do they really want to pass up on a defensive tackle in a deep class to reach for a passer in the first-round? Even if Shedeur Sanders falls to them, he may not be worth the risk.

With no playoff wins in recent years, no long-term quarterback solution in action, and time starting to run out, why would Watt want to stay in Pittsburgh? All he has ever experienced his heartbreaking collapses, and there is no sign that things will change anytime soon. He won Defensive Player of the Year once, but what does that really mean when you and your team constantly fail when it matters most.

Watt's older brother, JJ Watt, had a similar situation with the Houston Texans. They were a directionless team that made poor decision after poor decision, and this was as he was exiting his prime. Despite being synonymous with the city of Houston for a decade, his solution was to go directly to ownership and request to be released so he could try again elsewhere.

With all that in mind, it would make sense as to why TJ Watt is presumably done with the team as a whole. Not only has he experienced nothing but team failure with some individual achievements sprinkled in, but his older brother did too. With how close the Watt family is, conversations could be had about doing what's best for him and his career.

Steelers Could Also Just Be Low-Balling Watt

In many cases, however, cryptic posts like that are usually about a contract dispute, which Pelissero also mentioned. Watt has one year left on his current deal, which means he is due for an extension. Last time he was negotiating a new contract, he "held in" and missed all of training camp and preseason to get what he wanted, and it worked. If this is about the money, that could happen again. 

What do you think about Watt's Instagram photo? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.