The Pittsburgh Steelers kicked off Organized Team Activities on Tuesday. It’s an exciting time for Steelers fans and the team as the season continues to inch closer. While the energy around the facility is high, the Steelers still face a few questions as they begin preparing for the upcoming season. The quarterback position remains a major talking point, with all eyes on Aaron Rodgers as fans and analysts wait for his decision. Until there is clarity at quarterback, much of the focus will remain on how the team plans to move forward.
In addition to the uncertainty under center, a few high-profile players were allegedly not present at OTAs. TJ Watt, DK Metcalf, and Darius Slay were among those allegedly missing from the voluntary workouts. Although these sessions are not mandatory, consistent attendance is usually seen as a positive sign. Veteran players often choose to skip early offseason work, but their absence can still spark conversation about leadership and team culture.
Linebacker Patrick Queen spoke to the media after Tuesday's session and gave his perspective on the situation. Queen acknowledged that OTAs are voluntary but said he sees value in being present and working with teammates. He noted that building chemistry early helps set the foundation for the rest of the year. His comments offered a glimpse into the mentality he brings to Pittsburgh, in his second season, and the expectations he has for himself and the team.
"It is important to be here if you can be here," Queen said. "There are a lot of people dealing with a lot of stuff that we might not know about — or stuff we do know about — and they have to take care of at home."
Obviously, Rodgers wasn’t at Steelers OTAs. He’s not on the roster, so his absence doesn’t really come as a surprise. While there are still insiders who believe Rodgers could eventually join the Steelers, the fact that he wasn’t in Pittsburgh for voluntary offseason activities isn’t much of a story at this point.
What is more telling, however, is the absence of star pass rusher Watt. Unlike Rodgers, Watt is already on the roster, and his decision to skip OTAs likely has to do with his current contract situation. Watt is entering the final year of his deal in 2025 and is seeking a new extension. He wants to be paid top-tier money at his position, which he has certainly earned through years of elite production.
The issue is that the edge rusher market has recently changed, and not in a way that helps Pittsburgh. The Cleveland Browns gave Myles Garrett a massive extension worth $40 million per year, which has significantly inflated the market for elite pass rushers. Watt is well within his rights to ask for a deal in that range, but it puts the Steelers in a tough spot. They have to decide whether committing that kind of money to an aging star, even one as valuable as Watt, is the right long-term move.
Still, it seems highly unlikely that the Steelers would let a player like Watt leave in free agency. All signs point to the team eventually working out a deal to keep him in Pittsburgh, but the contract dynamics probably explain why he was not present at OTAs.
Steelers Do Seriously Value Being Present At OTAs
As for other players who were missing, Metcalf’s absence remains a bit of a mystery. There has been no official word on why he didn’t show, and without more information, it is difficult to draw conclusions. Slay also missed OTAs, but given his veteran status, it is not particularly surprising. Players of his experience level often choose to sit out voluntary sessions without much concern.
What stood out most from OTAs was hearing Queen’s perspective. His comments provided a valuable look into how current players view the offseason program and what it means for team chemistry and leadership. For Steelers fans, it was refreshing to hear Queen speak so openly and passionately about being at OTAs.
