The football world is trying to figure out what T.J. Watt meant by his recent social media post. We will try to ascertain if it’s connected to his contract negotiations during Friday’s “First Call.”
Also, the Pittsburgh Steelers just hosted Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders on a pre-draft visit. Now, another college quarterback is coming to town.
And a local skater scored a goal during the Frozen Four.
Peace ‘aht?
T.J. Watt made a cryptic social media post this week, and it has Steelers fans buzzing.
The Steelers linebacker randomly posted a picture of himself throwing up the peace sign while walking off the field. There’s no caption or clarification, leaving many to wonder if Watt was trying to say that he’s about to “peace out” because his contract negotiations are going poorly.
Watt is entering the final year of his deal with the team.
The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport admitted that he had no idea what meaning the former Defensive Player of the Year was trying to convey. But he’s concerned that Watt may be trying to suggest that the negotiations are going poorly.
“Generally, when a player makes a social media post that forces us to talk about it like we’re doing right now, it’s because contract negotiations are not going as well as anybody had hoped,” Rapoport said. “I think we can safely say that contract negotiations between T.J. Watt and the Steelers are not off to a rip-roaring start. That doesn’t mean they won’t get there; they’ve gotten there before.”
From @GMFB: Evaluating TJ Watt’s cryptic instagram post. pic.twitter.com/MjaIzArgeA
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 10, 2025
Mark Kabolly of “The Pat McAfee Show” expressed a similar opinion.
After talking to people, I'd keep an eye on this #Steelers T.J. Watt contract situation moving forward a little more closely. It doesn't appear that the IG picture (below) he posted yesterday was just by chance. I'd imagine an extension is still going to eventually get done, but… pic.twitter.com/OdPLn1H1jB
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) April 10, 2025
Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network implied that Watt could’ve been passing judgment on the elongated quarterback drama surrounding Aaron Rodgers.
Tom Pelissero makes it sound like TJ Watt is not a fan of the Steelers bringing in Aaron Rodgers. Or the way this is going down with Rodgers. ???? pic.twitter.com/2qaD6RfnCh
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) April 10, 2025
The final year of Watt’s current contract will count $30 million against the salary cap. It was worth $112 million overall and was signed in 2021.
High grade
Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders visited with the Steelers on Thursdayin a pre-draft meeting. On the way home, he joined the “Up and Adams” show from Pittsburgh’s airport and graded his interview with the team as “a 10.”
We just talked to Shedeur Sanders at the Pittsburgh airport…
Everything you need to know about his visit with the Steelers.@heykayadams | @shedeursanderspic.twitter.com/DiDp19o8oZ
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) April 10, 2025
“I enjoyed my time here in Pittsburgh,” Sanders told Kay Adams. “I think I connected with all the coaches, and it was real fun. … I understand the mindset of why they win a lot.”
Sanders told Adams he specifically enjoyed getting to know head coach Mike Tomlin.
“Just how he is as a person,” Sanders continued. “The values that the team has. And what he preaches from his staff down, it’s similar to my dad.”
Sanders’s father, Deion, is the head coach of the Buffaloes and an NFL Hall of Famer. His son is consideredto be the second-best quarterback on the board after Cam Ward of Miami.
Ward is largely believed to be the No. 1 pick in the draft. But ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently said that Sanders may not appeal to the Cleveland Browns or New York Giants over the next two picks.
After them, the other team before the Steelers at No. 21, who may need a QB, is New Orleans at No. 9.
Kyle in style
Sanders isn’t the only quarterback on the Steelers watch list. They’ve also expressed an interest in Ole Miss signal-caller Jaxson Dart and Louisville’s Tyler Shough.
Now Tomlin and his staff will make time for Syracuse QB Kyle McCord. That’s according to a social media post from Schefter.
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Steelers will visit today in Pittsburgh with Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders.
Next week the Steelers also will host a visit for Syracuse QB Kyle McCord. pic.twitter.com/jrRIY8TS7P
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 10, 2025
An Ohio State transfer, McCord broke the ACC single-season passing record with 4,779 yards passing. He also tossed 34 touchdowns and ran for three more as the Orange went 9-3 and won the Holiday Bowl.
However, McCord did have a nightmare of a game at Acrisure Stadium against Pitt. That night, the Panthers intercepted McCord five times and brought three of them back for touchdowns.
McCord then proceeded to throw just one interception over the last six games.
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Can’t buck the Broncos
The Frozen Four is taking place in St. Louis. Western Michigan won the first National semifinal 3-2 in double overtime on Thursday.
Wexford’s Brian Kramer scored the Broncos’ first goal on a power play.
Brian Kramer snipes one off the draw! ????????????
Western Michigan strikes first in the Frozen Four semifinal! pic.twitter.com/n9RIBCJYjZ
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 10, 2025
That was Kramer’s second goal of the season. The former Robert Morris Colonial also had the primary assist on the Broncos’ game-winning goal in the regional final to beat UMass.
WMU next plays Boston University in the national title game on Saturday night. The Terriers beat the Nittany Lions in the other semifinal 3-1 late on Thursday night.