Heyward: Will he miss games? Steelers star threatens to be absent

Cameron Heyward Considers Missing Games Over Contract Renegotiation

Pittsburgh Steelers’ star defensive captain Cameron Heyward has hinted at his willingness to miss regular season games. This, while he seeks to renegotiate the contract extension he signed in 2024.

“There are definitely options that could reflect that,” Heyward stated, in his first public comments since his desire to renegotiate the contract became public.

Cameron Heyward

Heyward, drafted by the Steelers in 2011, revealed that his formal request to renegotiate his contract dates back to February. He decided not to participate in training camp practices due to the status of the negotiations.

“I seek to be valued… I know what I bring to this team, both on and off the field, which is why I find it difficult, after the year I had, to justify playing for the salary I have”.

Cameron Heyward

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, Heyward’s average annual value of $14.5 million ranks him 23rd among interior defensive linemen. In 2024, Heyward received a guaranteed bonus of $13.45 million, which brought his total compensation to $14.75 million. For 2026, he is scheduled to receive a bonus of $12.95 million if he remains on the roster. His contract has no guaranteed money beyond this season. When asked if he would like to restructure next year’s bonus into guarantees for the 2025 season, Heyward responded that it’s something “similar” to what he’s thinking. Heyward, after an injury that cut short his 2023 season, indicated that he was asked to accept a salary cut as part of the 2024 extension. Initially, he was due to receive a base salary of $16 million in 2024. By accepting the extension, he earned $3.4 million less, with a base salary of $1.3 million and a signing bonus of $11.3 million.

“In my opinion, they could have cut me last year. They asked me to reduce my salary, and we reached an agreement in the end. But when I look at the market and what I have done, it’s hard for me to understand playing for a salary that isn’t even half of what is paid in the rest of the market.”

Cameron Heyward

Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones leads the interior defensive lineman market, averaging $31.75 million per year and $95 million guaranteed. Recently, Zach Allen of the Denver Broncos signed a four-year, $102 million contract with $69.5 million guaranteed and an average value of $25.5 million. Heyward has held conversations with general manager Omar Khan, team president and owner Art Rooney II, and coach Mike Tomlin. Tomlin downplayed concerns about Heyward’s future availability, stating that “no, as things stand today.” Tomlin added that it’s “a component of big business” and that “we’ve had good relationships with Cam since he’s been here. He’s been a great player for the Steelers. We communicate formally and informally. I imagine that will continue to be the case, and we’ll find a way to overcome these situations.”