Behind the Steel Curtain
Last week, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Steelers All-Pro defensive end Cam Heyward was holding in while seeking a new contract.
Heyward addressed the issue with the media today and confirmed the news. He justified why he’s seeking a new deal, saying he’s “looking to be valued, in my eyes.”
Heyward went on to say, “When I look around at my position, I think I’m like 22nd as a defensive tackle. I’m 36th as a D-lineman. I know what I bring to this team and what I’m capable of on and off the field. So it’s hard for me to, after the year I’ve had, to really justify playing at the number I’m playing at.”
Last offseason, he agreed to a two-year, $29 million extension — but there appears to have been a caveat.
“I understand I signed the contract last year, but to be completely honest with you, when I signed that, I told them, ‘When I have an All-Pro year I wanna come back (and renegotiate),’” Heyward said. “Everyone kinda giggled.”
But for Heyward, who did earn a first-team All-Pro in 2024, it doesn’t seem like much of a laughing matter.
When asked if he was prepared to miss regular season games during the negotiations, Heyward said, “I think there are definitely options out there that could reflect that.”
Head coach Mike Tomlin also spoke on the subject today, and didn’t seem overly concerned, citing the opportunity to get a bigger look at some of the younger players:
“Cam’s been doing this a long time. I don’t work Cam a lot in these scenarios. Anyway, I need to know more about Derrick Harmon, Yahya Black, and others, like Logan Lee. So that’s been the mindset I’ve approached it with.”
The ball is now in the Steelers’ court. There’s not much of a debate that Heyward is underpaid considering his production, but the sides are in a standoff. Who knows how much longer that will last, but obviously if the Steelers are “all-in” they will need their All-Pro.
