Steelers' Cam Heyward won't rule out a holdout into the regular season

PITTSBURGH — Cam Heyward is not ruling out holding out into the regular season if he and the Steelers cannot come to an agreement on an adjustment to his contract. Heyward’s agent went public last week that his client was asking for an adjustment, but Heyward provided some new details Monday afternoon following practice at Saint Vincent College.

Heyward said his agents first approached the Steelers about the adjustment on his three-year, $45 million deal that he signed last year at the NFL combine in February. He also divulged the Steelers originally asked him to take a pay cut in 2023 following an injury-riddled season for Heyward that saw his production decline after an early-season stint on injured reserve with a sports hernia.

“Honestly, I’m looking to be valued,” Heyward said. “In my eyes, when I look around at my position, I think I’m 22nd [in compensation] as a defensive tackle, I’m 32nd as a defensive lineman. I know what I bring to this team and what I’m capable of on and off the field. It’s hard for me, after the year I had, to justify playing at the number I’m playing at.”

Heyward cannot be fined by the Steelers now because he is in camp and attending meetings and practices. However, if he decides to hold out into the season, he would forfeit his salary each week and be subject to fines.

In Heyward’s case, given that he’s already collected $13.45 million in a March roster bonus and is only due $1.3 million in salary, it might be a cause worth pursuing.

“There are definitely options out there that could reflect that,” Heyward said of a possible holdout.

Heyward, who turned 36 in May, followed his tough 2023 season with his fourth first-team All-Pro selection in 2024. Heyward said he told the Steelers when he signed his contract that he would come back to them and ask for an adjustment if he made All-Pro.

“I think everyone kind of giggled a little bit, but in my head, I used it as motivation to go out and prove it,” he said.

Heyward is aware of the optics of asking for an adjustment one year after signing a three-year deal. When asked if he regrets not negotiating a one-year, prove-it deal, he said: “For me and my family, we value stability, but at the same time, I value being valued, as well. I’ve had conversations with my wife as things have started to pick up. I can’t complain about what happened because I was coming off an injury which I chose to play through and be there for my guys. I wanted to be there for them regardless. I can’t cry about spilled milk.”

Talks with the Steelers are ongoing, but Heyward decided to withhold his services because the negotiations were not moving at a pace he liked. He said he spoke with general manager Omar Khan before practice on Monday and also has had conversations with team president Art Rooney II and head coach Mike Tomlin.

Heyward hinted there is an easy solution to his ordeal, citing reports the Steelers could simply advance him some or all of his $12.9 million roster bonus that is due in March 2026. He’s already collected $30 million of the $45 million contract.

Heyward and his agent also have to be aware of the new guarantees the Steelers extended to Watt ($108 million) when he signed his deal last month, as well as new money for Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith after they were acquired from Miami in a trade in late June.

“My goal is to be out here,” Heyward said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. I had to be honest with myself and be ready for every option. I’d like to put this in the rear view mirror and worry about ball and the New York Jets Week 1.

“I’ve been busting my ass all offseason, and it didn’t stop when I got to training camp. I’d like to get more reps on the field and be out there. I’m just trying to be attentive in meetings and get my work on the field.”

The regular-season opener is 27 days away, so there is plenty of time for the Steelers to act on Heyward’s demands if they wish. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin is not concerned about Heyward getting practice or reps in the final two preseason games.

“I don’t worry about Cam Heyward and him being ready,” Austin said. “I wouldn’t worry about a guy like T.J. [Watt] being ready. We’ve been through those things where these guys haven’t had much practice and they show up and they know how to play. It’s because they’ve had plenty of reps. They’ve played a lot of football. They understand our scheme. It’s not like it’s a new scheme and we’re doing something new, so I don’t worry about that stuff. I don’t give it a second thought.”

Heyward held in during the 2020 training camp and signed just days before the opener. He went on to be named second-team All-Pro and made the Pro Bowl. The next year, Watt held in and did not sign until two days before the season opener. He made first-team All-Pro and tied the NFL single-season sack record.

Austin might not have reservations about Heyward’s ability to prepare for the season, but the Steelers have some impressionable rookies, including defensive linemen Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black, who are learning the NFL ropes from Heyward and the other veterans.

But Austin said Heyward’s absence from practice has not been a distraction for his defense.

“Not at all,” Austin said. “He’s around. He’s in every meeting. He’s a leader. The stuff he feels he has to do, that’s what he’s taking care of. Shoot, our guys are out there playing, and he’s helping, and he’s doing all he can until it’s time to really get going.”