Cameron Heyward
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NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the Pittsburgh Steelers and defensive lineman Cameron Heyward agreed to revised contract Saturday night.
The Cameron Heyward contract drama with the Pittsburgh Steelers is finally, mercilessly, finished.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, along with multiple NFL insiders, reported Saturday night that the Steelers and Heyward agreed to a revised contract. The new deal will add “more than $3 million in incentives” to his current pay.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported the revised contract will give Heyward an opportunity for an additional $3.2 million. Heyward could make just north of $18 million this season.
Previously, the defensive lineman was set to earn $15 million.
Heyward will earn the extra $3.2 million if the Steelers experience January success.
The #Steelers and seven-time Pro Bowl DL Cam Heyward agreed to terms on a revised contract for 2025, adding $3.2 million in incentives tied to playoffs and playoff wins, sources tell The Insiders.
Heyward can now earn close to $18M. He’ll start Sunday against the #Jets. pic.twitter.com/XzDK11JbrU
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 7, 2025
The Steelers agreed to add the additional pay despite Heyward still having two years remaining on his contract. The team has had a longstanding policy of not opening contract negotiations with players before the player only had one year left on his current deal.
The contract ends a tenuous contract situation between the four-time first-team All-Pro defensive lineman and the Steelers. Heyward told reporters on August 11 that if his contract wasn’t addressed, then he would consider sitting out regular season games.
Rapoport reported Heyward and the Steelers agreed to the additional incentive in his contract less than 16 hours before the team began the 2025 regular season. The Steelers will meet the New York Jets in Week 1 at 1 pm ET on September 7.
Steelers’ Cameron Heyward Will Play in Week 1
Perhaps the most important news from Heyward’s revised deal is the fact he will play in Week 1. That was potentially still in doubt Saturday night.
On the latest episode of his podcast on September 2, Heyward said “we’ll see” when asked whether he would play versus the Jets. On Friday, Heyward continued to be cryptic about whether he planned to play in the season opener.
“I have a decision to make for my family,” Heyward said. “This is a business. I can’t play this game forever.
“Just like I’m maximized on the field, I want to be maximized outside of it. … It’s not being greedy.
“It’s just the way this game is.”
While Heyward wasn’t clear about his playing status, though, head coach Mike Tomlin was.
“I’m certainly expecting Cam [Heyward] to play,” Tomlin told reporters Tuesday. “Cam doesn’t play a lot in team development over the last several years. My job is to get him in and out of Latrobe, and I’ve done my job.
“There are no reservations about his participation or his readiness. I’m sure he’s chomping at the bit.”