Steely defense tackle Cameron Heyward prepared to sit out matches due to contract disagreement
Pittsburgh Steelers' Cameron Heyward Seeks Contract Rework Amidst Stalemate
Cameron Heyward, the seven-time Pro Bowl selection and defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers, is currently in a contract dispute with the club management. According to coach Mike Tomlin, such stalemates are common in big business.
Heyward, who turned 36 years old this year, is seeking a larger share of the financial pie, stating, "I'm looking to be valued." His request comes after a productive 2024 season where he earned first-team All-Pro honors for the fourth time in his career, recorded 8 sacks, 20 quarterback hits, 71 tackles, and led all defensive linemen with 11 passes defended.
The contract extension Heyward signed last September kept him with the Steelers through the 2026 season. The two-year, $29 million deal has an average annual value of about $14.5 million, ranking him 23rd among interior defensive linemen in salary. However, Heyward feels the contract does not fairly reflect his value, especially after his All-Pro caliber performance last year.
Heyward first requested a contract increase earlier in 2025, asking for adjustments such as restructuring his 2026 roster bonus into guaranteed money for 2025 to better compensate him in the current year. He has expressed that he is "looking to be valued" more appropriately based on his performance.
This has resulted in a contract dispute with the Steelers, leading to Heyward holding out of training camp since early August 2025. However, on August 19, 2025, Heyward returned to practice but the contract stalemate remains unresolved, with no moves reported on his renegotiation requests. Heyward is willing to sit out into the season if necessary to get a deal that reflects his market value.
Coach Tomlin isn't overly concerned with the situation, communicating both formally and informally with Heyward and believing they will find a way to resolve the issue. The ongoing negotiation highlights Heyward’s role as a veteran leader and high-performing player whose contract has not kept pace with defensive lineman market trends.
Meanwhile, Heyward's absence from practice sessions has not affected his focus on the upcoming season and the New York Jets game in Week 1. Despite the contract dispute, his goal remains to be on the field.
This season, defensive player salaries have significantly increased, with Pittsburgh linebacker T.J. Watt receiving a three-year, $123 million deal in the offseason, with $108 million guaranteed. The $41 million annual average of Watt's contract set a record for defensive players. As of the current season, Heyward has 88.5 career sacks in 211 games (176 starts).
The 2025 compensation for Heyward totals $14.75 million, with a $13.45 million guaranteed roster bonus. However, he has no guaranteed money beyond this year. He is scheduled for a $12.95 million roster bonus in 2026 if he remains on the roster.
As the season approaches, the Steelers and Heyward continue their negotiations, with the hope of reaching a resolution that reflects the player's market value and contributions to the team.
Read also:
- Court petitions to reverse established decision on same-sex marriage legalization
- Trump's enforcement actions in Washington D.C.: Insights from the political arena
- Aircraft collides with another one on the runway during landing at Montana airport, igniting flames
- UEFA under fire for post on Mohamed Salah's Palestinian contemporary's demise
