Steelers’ Cam Heyward Won’t Commit To Playing Season Opener

The Pittsburgh Steelers still don’t know if Cam Heyward will play in their Week 1 matchup against the New York Jets.

Heyward continues to seek a new contract two days before Sunday’s season-opening game at Met Life Stadium. The 36-year-old returned to practice Friday after sitting out Thursday, but he wouldn’t commit to suiting up this weekend.

“You know, I’m preparing,” Heyward said after Friday’s practice, per the Pittsburgh Tribune Review’s Chris Adamski. “Still got some time, but we will see.”

Heyward practiced as a full participant on Friday and has no injury designation, so his status appears attached to his contract dispute. The defensive tackle signed a two-year, $29 million extension before delivering his fourth All-Pro campaign last season.

“I wish I could be more optimistic, but I’m just trying to stay in the moment,” Heyward said. “I don’t have all the answers, so it’s more of me just waiting and seeing what will happen.”

The seven-time Pro Bowler wouldn’t directly say if his status hinges on receiving a new deal by Sunday, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor.

“I wish I had a straight answer for you right now,” Heyward said. “All I can tell you is I’ve had to have a lot of tough conversations with my family.”

Heyward also noted that the Steelers typically don’t adjust contracts in-season, and the organization rarely goes against precedent. That creates the possibility of him sitting beyond Week 1 (perhaps all year) if he and the Steelers don’t settle the situation by Sunday’s kickoff.

“I don’t want to have to think about that,” he said. “I’d like to think cooler heads prevail, and we move forward, but if it does get to that, we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”

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