During his 105.9 The X radio show on Monday, TribLive columnist Mark Madden stated that he’d been told Steelers All-Pro T.J. Watt refused to participate in his exit interview with the team. They were held with players in the days after the club lost its playoff game to the Cleveland Browns 48-37 on Jan. 10.
“I am told that T.J. Watt refused to participate in his exit interview,” Madden said to open the program. “That he was angry about something. That he just said, ‘Send my stuff to Wisconsin. I’m outta here.’”
Madden pointed out those interviews were done online, so exactly how the linebacker got that message across is unclear. As is the source of Watt’s alleged anger.
“I can’t surmise what Watt was mad about,” Madden continued. “The loss (to the Browns). The culture. Him not getting a sack or a quarterback hit against Cleveland. But T.J. Watt declined his exit interview. That, I do know.
“He’s an old school type of guy. And the Steelers are anything but old school at this point.”
If that’s true, it wouldn’t be the first time Watt has been angry with the coaching staff. He had some heated words with Keith Butler during the team’s game in Baltimore on Nov.1.
However, a few hours after Madden’s show ended, Watt denied the claim.
Would love to hear who Mark’s sources are. They certainly can’t be myself, Coach T, Kevin Colbert or Coach Butler. All of whom I met with during exit interviews, prior to packing my own things after a hard fought season trying to give everything I have for the city of Pittsburgh. https://t.co/wqJsGObYp7
— TJ Watt (@_TJWatt) January 26, 2021
His brother, Steelers fullback Derek Watt, joined in the social media fray.
https://t.co/RcTT1jQjKH pic.twitter.com/gzimXjVmme
— Derek Watt (@DerekWatt34) January 26, 2021
So did their older brother, Houston Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt.
“Mark” right now… pic.twitter.com/2MFQt82qNV
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 26, 2021
But Madden responded to T.J. Watt’s denial of the events.
Not what I hear. I absolutely stand by my report. https://t.co/99KPofpG7P
— Mark Madden (@MarkMaddenX) January 26, 2021
Just double-checked w/my source. Says story is "100% true."
— Mark Madden (@MarkMaddenX) January 26, 2021
People deny true stories all the time, especially ones that don't flatter them. "100% true."
— Mark Madden (@MarkMaddenX) January 26, 2021
If you get something "off the record," it stays off the record. I'm not revealing anything. That's media ethics 101. &to quote Lenin, "cui bono?"
— Mark Madden (@MarkMaddenX) January 26, 2021
Following the report about Watt, Madden also said he has been told that vice president of football and business administration Omar Khan has been made aware that he will not be the successor to Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert, whenever Colbert decides to leave that post. But the job would be kept “in house” and given to someone else.
Madden went on to say Khan is “not happy” about that news. My guess is pro personnel coordinator Brandon Hunt would be that candidate who is currently on the staff.
Neither Khan, Colbert, Hunt nor any of the Watt brothers tweeted about that angle of the story.
Much to all of our collective disappointment.
Madden said he would be “very blunt” about the situation during his program Tuesday.
Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via Twitter. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.
Categories: Sports | Steelers/NFL | Breakfast With Benz
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