The Pittsburgh Steelers coach, Mike Tomlin, anticipates that four-time All-Pro defensive lineman Cameron Heyward will play in the season opener against the New York Jets on Sunday, despite Heyward’s limited participation during training camp and the preseason due to a prolonged contract renegotiation struggle.
However, Tomlin added that the team will not have first-round defensive lineman Derrick Harmon in Week 1, after the rookie suffered a medial collateral ligament sprain against the Carolina Panthers in the preseason finale. Although the injury initially looked serious, as Harmon was carted back to the locker room, it appears he avoided the worst-case scenario, and the Steelers opted not to place him on the short-term injured list. Tomlin also mentioned that linebacker Nick Herbig (hamstring) is questionable for Sunday’s game. Although Tomlin is confident that Heyward will be on the field against the Jets, the player, who is about to begin his fifteenth season with the team, was less committed. Speaking on Tuesday’s episode of his podcast “Not Just Football”, Heyward said “We’ll see”, when his co-host Hayden Walsh asked him if the defensive captain would be on the field in Week 1. Walsh also asked Heyward if there was any update on the contract.Certainly, I hope Cam plays. Cam doesn’t play much in the team’s development in recent years. My job is to get him in and out of Latrobe, and I’ve done my job. And so, there are no reservations about his participation or his preparation. I’m sure he’s eager.
Mike Tomlin
Heyward began a brief “hold-in” at the end of the Steelers’ training camp, as he felt frustrated by the state of the negotiations, but returned to practice on August 19 when the team resumed practice at the Steelers’ facilities. Since then, Heyward has participated in both individual drills and team periods. A source reported that Heyward’s participation in practice did not indicate the end of his fight for greater compensation for 2025. Heyward, 36, signed a two-year, $29 million extension with the Steelers in September 2024, keeping him under contract through the 2026 season. According to OverTheCap.com, the average annual value of his $14.5 million contract ranks 23rd among interior defensive linemen.No, nothing to talk about.
Cameron Heyward
At that time, Heyward also didn’t rule out missing games if he and the Steelers don’t resolve the contract dispute.I am looking to be valued. I know what I bring to this team and what I am capable of on and off the field, so it’s difficult for me, after the year I’ve had, to really justify playing for the number I’m playing for.
Cameron Heyward
I think there are definitely options out there that could reflect that. My goal is to be here, and I don’t know what’s going to happen. I’ve had to be honest with myself to be prepared for every option. And has it gone the way I wanted? No. If it had, I’d be playing and practicing, but I’d like to put this in the rearview mirror and worry about the ball and worry about the New York Jets in Week 1.
Cameron Heyward
