Mike Tomlin’s separation from the Pittsburgh Steelers appears to have shaken the team dynamics to a great extent. The head coach spent 19 long years coaching the team and therefore created an unmatched bond among players. While the team management was already going through the challenges of hunting a new coach, their outside linebacker, T.J. Watt, also posed a massive threat. The Steelers’ all-time sack leader took a firm stance on a playing condition that he stated while signing the contract under Tomlin.

“It was huge in my contract talks. I don’t want to play for anyone other than Mike T,” Watt said, as reported by the Steelers’ Depot on X (formerly Twitter).

Tomlin’s impact on the locker room wasn’t just limited to the role of a head coach. Players, including Aaron Rodgers and T.J. Watt, are known to be closely connected to the 53-year-old, as reflected in the outside linebacker’s recent statement.

His condition dates back to the time when he joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017. He was picked in the NFL Draft and therefore signed his rookie contract that year. Relying on his statement to play exclusively under coach Mike Tomlin, the conditions were decided when the Steelers agreed on a big new contract in July 2025. This was a three-year, $123 million extension, which made Watt one of the highest-paid defenders in NFL history.

The dedication towards Tomlin also stems from family roots. T.J. Watt’s brother and former Steelers star J.J. Watt also carried deep admiration for the head coach. During his time with the team, the DE also kept his stance on being a part of the team until Tomlin stayed.

A perfect example of T.J. Watt’s dedication to the former head coach was during a locker room leak. As Tomlin addressed the team for the last time during his farewell, both Watt and Aaron Rodgers were seen shedding tears. The Athletic conducted a deep dive into the locker room scenes of Tomlin’s last speech, and his co-players mentioned how all Watt could do was chant “No. No. No. No. No,” as he announced his exit. Among many who reacted to the leak, J.J. Watt’s reaction stood out.

J.J. Watt criticizes the Steelers for leaking the locker room conversation

J.J. Watt criticized the Pittsburgh Steelers after private details from head coach Mike Tomlin’s final team meeting were leaked. Watt posted on X that the emotional moment should have stayed inside the locker room. He later explained that his comment was not aimed at reporter Mike DeFabo of The Athletic, who reported the story. Watt said his issue was with the people in the room instead, who shared what happened. Watt felt the meeting was personal and meant only for players and coaches, not for public release.

“Feels like this moment could have stayed in the meeting room,” Watt wrote on X.

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The locker room moments included scenes where Tomlin was given a standing ovation by the team when he finished talking. He also tipped his cap and hugged every player as they left the room. The report clearly reflected the high levels of respect Tomlin had earned over his 19 years with the team. While it was Tomlin’s own decision to end his journey with the Steelers, the team’s president, Art Rooney II, clarified that the call was likely more about family than football. He added that he was ready to continue with Tomlin and expected to discuss a new contract. Now that the former HC has decided to step down, it still remains to be seen if Watt follows him too.