Week 1 of the NFL regular season is upon us, yet Cam Heyward and the Pittsburgh Steelers remain locked in a contract dispute. The legendary defensive lineman’s status for the season opener is uncertain, and he recently provided a cryptic update on his “Not Just Football” podcast.
Cam Heyward Provides No Contract Update, Bluntly Says “We’ll See” About Playing for Steelers in Week 1
The Steelers face off with the New York Jets in Week 1. There will be plenty of discussion about Aaron Rodgers playing his former team, but Heyward’s situation shouldn’t be swept under the rug.
Heyward arrived at Pittsburgh’s training camp on time but held out for nearly two weeks, hoping to move his contract negotiation along. The interior defensive line market has sharply increased recently, with Chris Jones leading the way at $31.75 million annually. Heyward wants a raise, but the Steelers have yet to give in.
Steelers Depot reporter Ross McCorkle recently broke down Heyward’s contract situation. McCorkle wrote, “The Pittsburgh Steelers’ first game is just five days away, and one of their top players remains in contract negotiations limbo with a hard deadline fast approaching. Cam Heyward made it clear that he wants more money and can’t justify playing for his current salary after an All-Pro season last year.”
Heyward was named first-team All-Pro after posting 71 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 20 quarterback hits, and eight sacks in his 14th NFL season. He’s set to make $19.65 million this season and deserves more money. McCorkle referenced Heyward’s “Not Just Football” podcast, where the veteran was asked if there were any contract updates.
He responded, “Nope. Nothing to talk about.” Heyward was later asked if he would be on the field when Pittsburgh plays New York in Week 1. He bluntly said, “We’ll see.”
Heyward is a Pittsburgh legend who wants to be treated fairly. The 14-year veteran has spent his entire career with the Steelers, anchoring the interior of the team’s vaunted defense. Since 2017, he’s made seven Pro Bowls and been named first-team All-Pro four times. Pittsburgh typically cares for its all-time greats, but the organization has been playing hardball with Heyward.
Despite the defensive lineman’s comments, the team expects Heyward to play in Week 1. Veteran Steelers reporter Gerry Dulac recently tweeted, “Mike Tomlin said he expects Cam Heyward to play Sunday in New York and not worried about his limited training camp work. ‘My job is to get him in and out of Latrobe, and I’ve done my job.'”
Mike Tomlin said he expects Cam Heyward to play Sunday in New York and not worried about his limited training camp work. “My job is to get him in and out of Latrobe and I’ve done my job.”
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) September 2, 2025
The Steelers are already weak at defensive tackle after rookie Derrick Harmon’s scary preseason injury. Being without Heyward against a quarterback who likes to run in Justin Fields could be disastrous, but Tomlin doesn’t seem worried.
The 2025 offseason was unorthodox for the Steelers, who traded for and extended D.K. Metcalf, then signed Rodgers late in the offseason program. The team also gave fellow defensive star T.J. Watt a massive extension, briefly resetting the edge defender market. Heyward has seen the organization open the checkbook this offseason, just not for him.
Stay tuned for any updates, but Heyward’s comments don’t make a signing seem imminent.
