Former Super Bowl Champion Turns Down 9 Teams Just One Day After Seahawks Release, Willingly Accepts Pay Cut to Join Patriots to Play Alongside MVP Drake Maye

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – December 20, 2025 Just days before their pivotal Week 16 showdown with the Detroit Lions, the Pittsburgh Steelers have received significant updates regarding a trio of players long viewed as the team’s “secret weapons” — a group whose combined contract value approaches $150 million but who are all currently dealing with concerning health issues. The most notable name remains T.J. Watt. The Steelers’ defensive cornerstone has officially been ruled out after failing to fully recover from a partially collapsed lung. Watt did not practice this week, and his absence forces Pittsburgh to adjust its entire pass-rush structure — a strategic shift with major implications against Detroit’s explosive offense. Along the offensive line, Isaac Seumalo will also be unavailable due to a triceps injury suffered in the Week 15 win over the Dolphins. Seumalo has yet to return to practice, and his absence removes one of the Steelers’ most reliable interior linemen — a critical loss in an area vital to pocket protection and offensive rhythm. The third piece of this trio, James Pierre, will miss another game as he continues to recover from a calf injury. Pierre has missed multiple practices and is set to sit out his second straight contest, further testing the depth of the Steelers’ secondary as it prepares to face Detroit’s speed-driven passing attack. Three players. Three different injuries. One shared consequence: direct impact on the most critical areas of the field. From generating pressure to protecting the interior and defending the perimeter, Pittsburgh will be forced to lean heavily on its depth and adaptability at a defining moment in the season. Head coach Mike Tomlin did not shy away from the weight of the situation — but he also refused to lower expectations. “There are moments in a season when you know exactly what you have,” Tomlin said. “Not from statistics or outside opinions, but from how players step onto the field and shoulder responsibility. This Sunday, we’re going to show people what the Steelers are truly built for.” Within that context, the leadership of Aaron Rodgers becomes especially critical. His ability to control tempo, limit mistakes, and maintain composure will serve as the team’s primary stabilizing force as the Steelers enter a game where the margin for error is virtually nonexistent. This is more than a routine regular-season matchup. For Pittsburgh, it is a test of resilience, depth, and competitive character. And when the opening kickoff arrives, the central question will be clear: can a battered roster still prove why it was once built around a $150 million trio of “secret weapons” — or not.