Cam Heyward, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ standout player recognized as All-Pro, was present at practice on Tuesday, which occurred after his absence from multiple training camp sessions due to his pursuit of an adjusted contract.
Reporters observed Heyward engaging in individual exercises during the portion of practice that was accessible to them. Head coach Mike Tomlin stated after the session that Heyward also took part in the team drills involving pads, which were not open to media coverage.
ESPN reporter Brooke Pryor has indicated that there has been no advancement regarding Heyward’s request for a revised contract. According to the report, Heyward is still seeking an updated agreement with a salary increase. However, he was prepared to wear pads on Tuesday, marking his first time doing so since he began his hold-in on August 7.
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This situation contrasts with Heyward’s statements on August 11, when he communicated to reporters that it’s challenging to “defend playing at my current compensation.” Heyward refrained from speaking with reporters on Tuesday.
Heyward’s salary is below market value, but his negotiating position is limited due to his existing contract
Heyward, who is 36 years old, entered into a two-year contract extension valued at $29 million in 2024, which encompasses the 2025 and 2026 seasons. His compensation is notably less than what would be considered fair market value for a defensive tackle of his All-Pro caliber.
According to Over the Cap, Chris Jones, a defensive tackle for the Chiefs, holds the distinction of being the highest-paid interior defensive lineman in the NFL, with an average yearly compensation of $31.75 million. Fifteen interior linemen earn $20 million or more each season. In contrast, Heyward’s current contract stipulates a salary of $14.5 million per season.
However, he agreed to this contract last summer following a 2023 season where he was sidelined for six games and was not selected for the Pro Bowl for the first occasion in seven seasons. In 2024, he regained his All-Pro status and earned first-team All-Pro recognition for the fourth instance in his career.
Heyward informed reporters on August 11, when discussing his hold-in, that he had conveyed to the Steelers when he signed the extension in 2024 that he would revisit the negotiation process if he achieved All-Pro status.
“It’s difficult for me, considering my performance last year, to justify continuing to play at my current salary,” Heyward stated. “I understand that I signed a contract last year.”
“However, to be completely candid, when I signed that contract, I informed them, ‘If I have an All-Pro year, anticipate me returning to discuss it further.’ … I believe everyone chuckled slightly. But in my mind, I used it as motivation to excel and demonstrate my value.”
Reports indicate that Heyward initially engaged with the Steelers regarding renegotiating his contract in February. He attended training camp in late July without a revised agreement in place and had been participating in a hold-in for several weeks before fully returning to practice on Tuesday.
Presently, with only one preseason game remaining on the schedule, Heyward has returned to wearing pads and seems to be preparing to attain football readiness in anticipation of Pittsburgh’s Week 1 game against the New York Jets on September 7.
