A potential Pittsburgh Steelers contract dispute has reportedly slid under the radar this summer.
Cam Heyward hasn’t fully participated in practice during training camp. The defensive tackle’s limited involvement hasn’t raised much suspicion since the seven-time Pro Bowler is entering his 15th season with the Steelers, but it could go beyond resting a key veteran.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Heyward is awaiting a restructured contract before the 2025 season. He’s currently slated to make $14.75 million — including a $13.45 million roster bonus already paid in March — as part of a three-year, $45 million deal signed last September.
“Heyward is seeking a raise in a defensive market that has experienced a reset this off-season,” Schefter wrote Thursday afternoon. “Heyward and the Steelers have addressed this privately, but have not made any progress on any reworked deal, per sources.”
Approximately an hour after Schefter’s tweet, ESPN’s Brooke Pryor posted a photo of Heyward not in uniform at Thursday’s practice.
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Heyward signed his recent extension following a 2023 campaign in which he recorded 2.5 sacks and missed six games with a groin injury. He returned strong, receiving his fourth first-team All-Pro nod with eight sacks, 71 tackles and 11 breakups last season.
As a result, Heyward may want a raise. Twenty interior defenders will make more money than him this season, according to Over The Cap.
The Steelers have already opened their wallets this offseason, making T.J. Watt the NFL’s highest-paid non-quarterback with a three-year, $123 million extension. They also acquired Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, Jonnu Smith and Jalen Ramsey during a flurry of aggressive activity that positions them as going all-in for a title push.
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Heyward fielded a punt on Wednesday, but the 36-year-old isn’t a full-go in practice yet.
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