Cam Heyward isn’t fully practicing, wants a revised contract

[hawaiiansteel]

Cam Heyward isn’t fully practicing, wants a revised contract

August 7, 2025

Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward hasn’t been a full participant in practice at training camp and it’s not because the team is dialing back the workload of a proven veteran.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Heyward is looking for a raise as he heads into his 15th season in Pittsburgh.

Heyward received $13.45 million of his $14.75 million in compensation for 2025 via a roster bonus and he is under contract for $14.5 million for the 2026 season. Most of that money is also due to come as a roster bonus and none of it is guaranteed.

Per the report, Heyward and the Steelers have had talks about reworking the deal but they have not made progress toward a new agreement. The Steelers have a policy of not negotiating during the season, so the two sides may be running low on time for that to change before the calendar flips to 2026.

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/cam-heyward-isnt-fully-practicing-while-pushing-for-a-revised-contract

[NorthCoast]

Sorry. But a 35 yr old DL is all risk on the team side. He played 71% of snaps last year. And... wait for it, ...the Steelers were 2-6 when he played more than 70% of snaps, and 7-1 when he played <70% of snaps.

(and besides, his little brother has been stealing from the Steelers for his entire rookie contract....)

[LPMAN]

How was this hidden from fans & media until now?

[Northern_Blitz]

How was this hidden from fans & media until now?

Sounds like mostly speculation to me.

I'm sure that he would take more money.

But I'm also sure that we wouldn't be working him hard at this point with or without a contract.

This smells to me like a slow news day.

[feltdizz]

Sorry. But a 35 yr old DL is all risk on the team side. He played 71% of snaps last year. And... wait for it, ...the Steelers were 2-6 when he played more than 70% of snaps, and 7-1 when he played <70% of snaps.

(and besides, his little brother has been stealing from the Steelers for his entire rookie contract....)

lmao.. I thought age aint nothing but a number?

[Prowler]

Heyward isn't a team player and has never been a team player. He is as close to being a locker room cancer as any current player on the Steelers.

The greedy doughboy has earned $131 million in his career. The dude just signed his new contract not loo long ago.

Because of Heyward's crappy attitude, I'd make sure I play him every single practice and all 4 quarters of each preseason game until he shuts the hell up and honors his contract.

[Flasteel]

Heyward isn't a team player and has never been a team player. He is as close to being a locker room cancer as any current player on the Steelers.

The greedy doughboy has earned $131 million in his career. The dude just signed his new contract not loo long ago.

Because of Heyward's crappy attitude, I'd make sure I play him every single practice and all 4 quarters of each preseason game until he shuts the hell up and honors his contract.

Even by your standards, this is just idiotic hyperbole.

That said, dude just signed a contract extension last offseason after he came off a somewhat down year. My guess is that he's looking at TJ's pile of cash and is trying to squeeze some more juice while he is still able. Cam is the ultimate team guy and there is zero risk of him holding out into the season. More reps for the youngins in the meanwhile.

[WindyCitySteel]

Didn’t they just do this last season? F%^&* him, like Prowler said, he ain’t a team player nor is he a leader. Pads stats vs. bad teams, no show vs. good ones.

[NorthCoast]

Let's see, combined, Watt and Heyward have exactly one playoff win between them. Heyward has been in this league 14 years! The two highest paid players on the team and that is what the Steelers get.

Have they really been the difference makers this team needs?? Regular season champs, postseason chumps.

[WindyCitySteel]

Let's see, combined, Watt and Heyward have exactly one playoff win between them. Heyward has been in this league 14 years! The two highest paid players on the team and that is what the Steelers get.

Have they really been the difference makers this team needs?? Regular season champs, postseason chumps.

In five years we’ll look back and realize that trading TJ and Cam when they had high market value would have been the smart play. On paper they look improved over last year, but still probably a 3rd place team in the division.

[LPMAN]

Heyward isn't a team player and has never been a team player. He is as close to being a locker room cancer as any current player on the Steelers.

The greedy doughboy has earned $131 million in his career. The dude just signed his new contract not loo long ago.

Because of Heyward's crappy attitude, I'd make sure I play him every single practice and all 4 quarters of each preseason game until he shuts the hell up and honors his contract.

On the one hand Heyward played awesome last year, except for the playoff game the entire D blew cheese chunks.....BUT yes he just signed a 3 year 114 mil extension ELEVEN MONTHS AGO! When Terrell Owens tried that a decade or so ago the Cowboys suspended him for not playing since he just got a contract a year earlier & he did push ups in his driveway to impress the media. I kinda have to agree Heyward is being selfish here he just got his raise a year ago.

Steelers probably give in & give him a little more money because they want their big star players to play with no distractions. And if he does get even more money i bet this is his last year playing for the Steelers because he is going to price himself way too high & once their is a slight decline we will MINKAH him.

[feltdizz]

In five years we’ll look back and realize that trading TJ and Cam when they had high market value would have been the smart play. On paper they look improved over last year, but still probably a 3rd place team in the division.

maybe some of you will look back five years from now but I been saying this for the last 3 years.

[feltdizz]

On the one hand Heyward played awesome last year, except for the playoff game the entire D blew cheese chunks.....BUT yes he just signed a 3 year 114 mil extension ELEVEN MONTHS AGO! When Terrell Owens tried that a decade or so ago the Cowboys suspended him for not playing since he just got a contract a year earlier & he did push ups in his driveway to impress the media. I kinda have to agree Heyward is being selfish here he just got his raise a year ago.

Steelers probably give in & give him a little more money because they want their big star players to play with no distractions. And if he does get even more money i bet this is his last year playing for the Steelers because he is going to price himself way too high & once their is a slight decline we will MINKAH him.

He will get a pay raise and then retire at the end of this contract.

[Eich]

After that playoff "game", I'd have a real hard time giving a pay increase to anyone on the defense whose primary role is stopping the run.

[LPMAN]

After that playoff "game", I'd have a real hard time giving a pay increase to anyone on the defense whose primary role is stopping the run.

That is a strong sentiment by many fans. 300 yards rushing allowed in a playoff game is Brown stain level competence.