It has been nine years since TJ Watt last suit up for the Wisconsin Badgers but the Pittsburgh Steelers still find way to reconnect to his roots.
The 2021 Defensive Player of the Year was present at last in his team’s training camp after missing the first official team activity this 2025 season due to contract negotiations.
The two camps eventually found a common ground and the linebacker will stay with the team for three more years agreeing to a $123 million contract with $108 million guaranteed.
Watt is a future Steelers legend and but his time with Wisconsin will always be with him and some fans reminded him about it on Sunday.
When @_TJWatt signs your @BadgerFootball card 🙌 pic.twitter.com/CxpZQmWxJN
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 26, 2025
The Badgers X account celebrated the moment.
love to see it 👐 @_TJWatt https://t.co/J64yam6jEd
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) July 26, 2025
Watt is considered among the greatest Badgers in program’s history, playing for them for two seasons. He was part of the Second-team All-American in 2016 and First-team All-Big Ten in the same year.
TJ Watt promises new stuff
Watt was very critical of the team’s offense in the 2024 season.
“It’s been a tough year for how offenses scheme things to try to get me out of the game,” he said in the exit interview.
With a new look team, like the addition of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver DK Metcalf, Watt said the team is going to expand on their offensive scheme. They are going to use the training camp for that.
“This time of year is perfect for us to move around, to get comfortable,” he said.
“It’s not about winning every single rep and (getting) everything mastered on the left side. It’s about trying new things and moving around. I’m sure you guys will see a good amount of that,” Watt said Wednesday. “I’m sure we’ll have some cool packages and some new stuff for you guys to see.”
Steelers will open their 2025 season on August 21 against the Carolina Panthers. They will have their pre-season game in two weeks against the Jacksonville Jaguards.
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