Steelers, Cam Heyward Reportedly Resolve Contract Saga Before Week 1

With no time to spare, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cam Heyward agreed to a revised contract.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Saturday night that Heyward and the Steelers settled on a reworked deal. The All-Pro defensive tackle can make an additional $3.2 million in incentives tied to postseason wins.

Heyward, who can now earn up to $18 million this season, will reportedly play in Sunday’s season-opening game against the New York Jets.

The situation went down to the wire after Heyward conducted a “hold-in” throughout training camp. He practiced Friday after receiving a veteran’s rest day on Thursday, but the 36-year-old wouldn’t commit to playing in Week 1 (or at all this season) without a new contract.

Heyward signed a two-year, $29 million extension last summer after a groin injury hindered him to two sacks in 11 games. The 2011 first-round pick responded by registering eight sacks and 71 tackles in his seventh Pro Bowl campaign.

Steelers players voted Heyward a team captain for the 11th straight season, a franchise record for any defensive player. He’ll anchor a ferocious front seven alongside T.J. Watt, who signed a lucrative three-year, $123 million extension that momentarily made him the league’s highest-paid defender in July.

ESPN’s Brooke Pryor noted that the Steelers had previously not revised a player’s contract two years before expiration or given incentives to a non-quarterback. They skirted both precedents for Heyward, who must help the team earn its first playoff victory since the 2016 season to unlock some of his raise.

Heyward should be on the field when the Steelers kick off their season against the Jets on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

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