Steelers’ $130 Million All-Pro Offers Blunt Stance on New ‘Contract Dispute’

Just when the Pittsburgh Steelers finally figured out the TJ Watt contract dispute, a new issue has popped up at training camp centering around star defensive lineman Cam Heyward.

“For the second training camp in a row, Steelers defensive co-captain Cameron Heyward is in a contract dispute,” The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo reported on August 7.

Explaining: “The 36-year-old interior defensive lineman suited up for the first 12 practices (other than scheduled vet days) and participated in individual drills, but has not taken part in team drills recently. What appeared on the surface to be the Steelers saving a veteran for the regular season can now be characterized as a ‘hold-in.’ Heyward is seeking a revision to his contract, league sources told The Athletic on Thursday.”

When asked to comment on this new contract disagreement after practice, Heyward offered a blunt three-word response, per Pat McAfee Show beat reporter Mark Kaboly.

“I’m not talking,” Heyward said, via Kaboly.

Heyward also posted the following message on his Instagram story. It stated: “When you take things for granted, the things you are granted get taken.”

Heyward earned his fourth first-team All-Pro honor and his seventh Pro Bowl in 2024, at age 35. He’s accumulated over $130 million in career earnings, according to Over the Cap, including a two-year, $29 million extension last year.

Cam Heyward Is ‘Seeking a Raise’ at Steelers Training Camp: Report

Earlier in the afternoon on August 7, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported: “Cameron Heyward, who’s seeking a raise in a defensive market that has experienced a reset this offseason, hasn’t fully participated in practice yet this summer as he awaits a restructured contract that has not gotten done, sources told ESPN on Thursday.”

Per Schefter, Heyward has “two years remaining on his contract — $14.75 million this season, with $13.45 million of that already having been earned as a roster bonus that will be paid out over the course of the season, and $14.5 million in 2026.”

This salary is far below other defensive linemen of Heyward’s caliber, which DeFabo outlined on Thursday.

“Among interior defensive linemen, Heyward finished the 2024 regular season tied for sixth in sacks (eight), fourth in pressures (56, per TruMedia) and fourth in tackles for loss (12),” the Steelers beat reporter noted. “He also had two more batted passes (11) than any other defensive lineman. His presence in the middle of the defense was probably the biggest reason the Steelers went from 21st in yards per carry allowed in 2023 (4.3) to fifth-best last year (4.1).”

Given how much money Pittsburgh has spent this offseason, and how integral a piece Heyward is, DeFabo wrote that the veteran team leader’s “current frustration puts the Steelers in a tough spot.”

Steelers Said to Have Addressed This Matter ‘Privately,’ Insider Suggests Creative Solution

Circling back to Schefter’s report with ESPN, the NFL insider relayed that “Heyward and the Steelers have addressed this privately, sources said, but they have not made any progress on a reworked deal.”

Schefter added that “in the meantime, [Heyward] has not been a full participant in training camp.”

Although Heyward’s exact demands are not known at this time, Kaboly suggested that the Steelers attack this situation as they have in the past.

“Steelers don’t restructure contracts until a year out, but Cam Heyward has 2 years remaining on his deal,” Kaboly posted. “Here is the kicker, and this is what I would use if I were Heyward: The Steelers worked some funny math with Antonio Brown in 2016 to get him a $4 million raise.”

“They moved $4 million of AB’s 2017 money to 2016, then tore up the contract in 2017 and made him the highest-paid WR in the NFL,” the veteran beat writer recalled. Concluding: “AB got a $4 million raise, and the Steelers were able to keep their long-standing policy intact.”

Perhaps, history will repeat itself as Heyward pushes for another salary bump.