Pittsburgh, PA – June 19, 2025
In a blistering appearance on The Pivot Podcast, former Steelers running back James Conner delivered a scathing critique of the Rooney family, accusing the franchise of lowballing its stars — and predicting that edge rusher T.J. Watt will be the next to walk out of Pittsburgh.
“The Steelers have the best fans, but their owners are the stingiest,” Conner said. “They always want top players for dirt-cheap salaries. Trust me, Watt will leave because he can’t reach a contract agreement.”
Conner, who rushed for over 2,300 yards and 22 touchdowns during his tenure with the Steelers from 2017 to 2020, is now with the Arizona Cardinals after Pittsburgh declined to match a three-year, $21 million offer in 2024. His words, rooted in personal experience, struck a nerve with Steelers Nation.
At the center of the storm is T.J. Watt — arguably the face of the franchise — who’s pushing for a new deal beyond his current $112 million contract set to expire after the 2025 season. Watt reportedly wants over $40 million per year, a figure he feels justified after tallying 11.5 sacks and a league-leading six forced fumbles in 2024.
But according to sources close to ESPN, negotiations with team owners Art and Dan Rooney have stalled. And while the Steelers still have $31.88 million in cap space, GM Omar Khan is under increasing pressure to strike a deal before Watt’s frustrations reach a tipping point.
The warning signs aren’t new. The team’s reluctance to retain high-profile talent has already cost them players like Bud Dupree and Conner himself. Now, rumors are swirling that both the Ravens and Eagles are monitoring Watt’s situation closely — prepared to pounce if talks collapse.
Head coach Mike Tomlin offered a firm but brief rebuttal: “T.J.’s our cornerstone.” Still, fans on social media are echoing Conner’s concern, with many questioning the organization’s willingness to pay top talent like Watt, Aaron Rodgers, or D.K. Metcalf what they deserve.
Conner, who posted 1,040 rushing yards and seven touchdowns for the Cardinals last season, ended his comments without bitterness but with a firm warning: if the Steelers don’t adjust, they could lose the last defensive superstar holding their identity together.
As training camp looms, the message is clear — Pittsburgh has a decision to make. Will they invest in greatness, or let another franchise legend walk away?
