Wednesday’s “First Call” has an interesting quote from former Pittsburgh Steeler George Pickens in Dallas. T.J. Watt speaks in advance of training camp after making his new contract official. And the UFL is going through major changes.
Tough to misinterpret
George Pickens said something Tuesday that I’m sure will get attention in Pittsburgh.
According to the Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys wide receiver was asked about the idea of running a more expansive set of routes instead of being used as just a deep threat down the sidelines as often as he was with the Steelers.
“I’m definitely excited to run better plays,” Pickens replied.
George Pickens was used often as a deep ball player in Pittsburgh. He was asked about his full route tree and how that can be utilized in Dallas.
“I’m definitely excited to run better plays.”
Pickens called his experience in Dallas a fresh start that he’s been enjoying. pic.twitter.com/Sjy06Vt2GV
— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) July 22, 2025
That seems to be a pretty clear shot fired at his offensive coordinators here in Pittsburgh, Matt Canada and Arthur Smith.
I wonder if Pickens is “excited to run better” routes, and not go 50% on certain run plays or on patterns when he isn’t the primary target.
I also wonder what “better plays” Brian Schottenheimer, Klayton Adams and Ken Dorsey have cooked up for Pickens in Dallas. Is it a “better play” if CeeDee Lamb ends up catching the football?
I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough.
Pressure to perform
While many people are deflecting the attachment of T.J. Watt’s individual performance to that of the Steelers’ postseason shortcomings in recent years, Watt himself isn’t running from that reality.
During an interview teaser posted to Graham Besinger’s “In Depth” YouTube Channel, Watt firmly underscored the importance of finally winning a playoff game and, eventually, a Super Bowl to cement his legacy in Pittsburgh.
“Winning a Super Bowl is no doubt motivating me, and winning a playoff game is absolutely motivating me,” Watt said in the clip posted Tuesday. “It’s something that we haven’t been able to do since I’ve been there. … I think that’s absolutely unacceptable, and that is what’s attached to my name right now. And I have to answer for that as much as it (stinks). When you say ‘T.J. Watt,’ you say ‘T.J. Watt’s not won a playoff game.’”
It’s not clear from the clip if this interview was taped after Watt signed his contract extension Thursday, or if this was in the can prior to that. Given the production value and the turnaround, that may have been the case.
If it was pre-taped, that suggests that negotiations may have been in a better spot for a longer period of time than some were assuming. And throughout the clip, Watt was comparing himself to other past Steelers greats such as Jerome Bettis and “Mean Joe” Greene, who had won Super Bowls in the past. So it appears his thought process all along was to get a deal done with Pittsburgh at some point.
Besinger’s interview is set to air in September.
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On the dotted line
Meanwhile, Watt officially signed his new contract with the Steelers on Tuesday in Pittsburgh and talked about heading out to Saint Vincent College to report for training camp.
“Steelers Nation, I’m excited to officially be signed to an extension. I’m so excited to see you guys in Latrobe tomorrow. Here we go,” Watt said in a video the Steelers posted on social media. “It’s going to be a special year.”
Let’s get to work ???? @_TJWatt pic.twitter.com/Mj7IZH509C
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) July 22, 2025
So that means Watt is getting $108 million shipped to his bank account. According to “OverTheCap.com,” Watt’s cap hit will be $23.3 million this year as opposed to $30.4 million, as was the case before the reconfigured deal was inked.
Watt will make $42 million against the salary cap each of the next two seasons and $46 million in 2028.
City shake up
The UFL is relocating a bunch of its teams. That’s according to James Larsen of UFL Newsroom.
Larsen says Michigan, Houston, Birmingham and Memphis are all being relocated for the 2026 season. He also claims Boise, Columbus, Florida (likely Orlando) and Kentucky (Louisville/Lexington) are getting teams.
SOURCES: The four new #UFL markets will be Boise (Idaho), Columbus (Ohio), Florida (likely Orlando), and Kentucky (Louisville/Lexington).
Blockbuster moves to be announced by the league over the coming weeks. https://t.co/u38LXejSEx
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) July 23, 2025
According to UFLNewsHub.com, Columbus and Kentucky have been potential locations for teams for quite a while.
The website also claims a number of layoffs have occurred in the front office throughout the UFL.
Tim Benz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Tim at tbenz@triblive.com or via X. All tweets could be reposted. All emails are subject to publication unless specified otherwise.
