Even as he returns to practice Friday, Pittsburgh Steelers DL Cam Heyward isn’t guaranteeing he’ll take the field with teammates during Sunday’s season opener. Speaking to reporters Friday for the first time in weeks, Heyward did not guarantee he would suit up against the New York Jets as his contract situation remains unresolved less than 48 hours before the opener.
“I’m preparing,” Heyward said via the Trib’s Chris Adamski when asked of his availability for the weekend. “Still got some time. But we’ll see.”
In February, Heyward asked the Steelers for a revised contract. Months after signing a contract-extension in September of 2024 to keep him in Pittsburgh through 2026, Heyward’s been in search of some sort of raise or modified deal to reflect his impressive 2024 season. To date, Pittsburgh hasn’t obliged, although Heyward noted the two sides remain in communication.
“There has,” he said. “Can’t really divulge what’s going on. But there’s been communication on both sides, and we’ll see what happens.”
Heyward practiced Wednesday and Friday but sat out Thursday in what was listed as “rest.” In his age-36 season, it’s common for him to receive at least one day off per week. Ultimately, the decision to play could come down to Heyward’s own choice. Since training camp, he’s left the door open to sitting out the regular season, a rare and aggressive move rarely used by players. Pittsburgh experienced it in 2018 with RB Le’Veon Bell, who sat out the entire season, while Kansas City Chiefs DL Chris Jones missed Week One before securing his deal.
Heyward has used the threat of missing games as a piece of leverage in the hopes of receiving an adjusted contract, admitting he didn’t think talks would still continue in the days leading up to kickoff.
“I’d be lying if it wasn’t,” Heyward said when asked if the process has been frustrating. “I thought this would be a lot easier. But it’s gotten dragged on. Luckily, it hasn’t effected my teammates.”
Even if there isn’t a contract resolution, most still expect Heyward to play. Mike Tomlin and DC Teryl Austin are on-record anticipating he will play. So are teammates like EDGE Alex Highsmith though others like EDGE T.J. Watt and NT Keeanu Benton have deferred to Heyward. Sitting out certainly would impact his teammates and the Steelers’ chance of beating the run-heavy Jets.
If Heyward sits out, the team will be without him and first-round roookie Derrick Harmon, who will miss after spraining his MCL in the preseason finale. That would leave Keeanu Benton, Isaiahh Loudermilk, Yahya Black, Daniel Ekuale, Logan Lee, and Esezi Otomewo as available defensive lineman for the game.
Pittsburgh leaves for East Rutherford, New Jersey tomorrow afternoon. That’s generally viewed as the deadline for any and all contract talks. If no deal is reached by then, Heyward will have to decide to stand firm on his contract stance or suit up Sunday and play out this year of his deal.
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