- - JJ Watt Calls Out Steelers Locker Room for Revealing Aaron Rodgers' Emotional Reaction to Mike Tomlin Leaving Team

Skyler CarusoJanuary 16, 2026 at 7:32 PM

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Thearon W. Henderson/Getty; Perry Knotts/Getty

JJ Watt and Aaron Rodgers. -

JJ Watt called out Pittsburgh Steelers players for exposing details from the locker room during the meeting where head coach Mike Tomlin's announcement he's leaving the team

The former NFL star reshared a report from The Athletic that included inside information from players, coaches and staff who were in the room

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was among the players who were emotional upon learning the news about Tomlin, according to the report

JJ Watt isn't holding back.

The former NFL star called out those in the Pittsburgh Steelers' locker room for exposing intimate details from the emotional meeting on Jan. 13 where head coach Mike Tomlin announced he was leaving the team.

Watt, whose brother TJ Watt is a linebacker on the team, reshared quotes on Thursday, Jan. 15 from a story in The Athletic that included interviews with a half-dozen players, coaches and staff members in the room, who described the reaction to Tomlin's announcement.

"Feels like this moment could have stayed in the meeting room," JJ wrote in his post on X.

Scott Halleran, Getty Images Throwback photo of J.J. Watt playing for the Houston Texans.

The quotes JJ shared from the article focused on quarterback Aaron Rodgers' emotional reaction to Tomlin's news.

"Inside the team meeting room Tuesday, Rodgers, through sobs, mustered a two-word message to deliver to his coach: 'I’m sorry,' several players heard him say. 'I’m sorry. I’m sorry,' " the quotes read.

Feels like this moment could have stayed in the meeting room. https://t.co/9QsQroQFZE

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) January 15, 2026

The mood inside the Pittsburgh Steelers meeting room was “like a funeral” after Tomlin — who had coached the team for 19 seasons — told his team that he was stepping down, per The Athletic report, with players lining up one by one to say goodbye to the coach.

TJ reportedly kept repeating “no” over and over again, upon Tomlin’s announcement, while cornerback Joey Porter Jr., whose father Joey Porter starred on the Steelers in the 90s, almost began “hyperventilating."

Mitchell Leff/Getty

Aaron Rodgers #8 and head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 7, 2025.

Rodgers has talked extensively about his respect for Tomlin, going back to 2011 when the quarterback's Green Bay Packers took down the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV.

The future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback just finished his 21st season for the Steelers on a one-year contract, and said when he signed with the franchise that it had to do with the legendary coach.

"I don't need it for my ego," Rodgers told reporters last June. "I don't need it to keep playing. A lot of decisions that I've made over my career and life from strictly the ego, even if they turn out well, are always unfulfilling. But the decisions made from the soul are usually pretty fulfilling."

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Gene J. Puskar/AP Photo

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers speaks during a press conference after an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026.

Recently, Rodgers abruptly left what could've been is last press conference of his career amid retirement rumors when a reporter asked about his relationship with Tomlin.

“I’ve talked extensively about how I feel about Mike," the legendary QB said on Monday, Jan. 12. "And I just did in that f---in’ answer. Thanks.”

The 42-year-old signal-caller’s 21st season in the NFL came to an end after the Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card playoff game, 30-6.

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Source: “AOL Sports”