UNITY TWP., Pa. — Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward said he's willing to miss games in the 2025 season, if that's what it takes to get the contract modification he's seeking from the team.
Heyward, speaking to the media at St. Vincent College on Monday for the first time since his hold-in was reported, said that he told the team last year when he took a team-friendly offer that he would be back asking for more money if he had another All-Pro season.
Heyward did just that, earning his fourth All-Pro nod at the age of 35 last year, and said that he first approached the Steelers back in February about adjusting his contract.
"I'm looking for my contract to be addressed," he said. "Honestly, I'm looking to be valued. … I know what I bring to this team, what I'm capable of on and off the field. It's hard for me, after the year I had, to really justify playing at the number I'm playing at."
Heyward signed a two-year, $29 million contract extension with the team last year that paid him a $14.7 million signing bonus, but guaranteed only that and his 2024 salary, which was $1.3 million.
He was paid a $13.45 million roster bonus this March, but is owed only another $1.3 million this season for a total of $14.75 million in cash over 2025. He is also scheduled to earn a $12.95 million roster bonus in 2026, with a $1.3 million base salary.
In terms of cash this season, Heyward is slated to be the 21st-highest-paid defensive lineman in the NFL , and he'l be making less than half that of the players at the top of his position. Fellow 2024 AFC All-Pro Chris Jones of the Kansas City Chiefs will earn $28.85 million this season, while Milton Williams will bank $32 million after signing as a free agent with the New England Patriots after winning a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles .
"When I look at the market and I look at what I've done, it's hard to really wrap my head around playing at a number where I'm not even half of what the rest of the market is," Heyward said. "I understand I signed a contract last year, but to be completely honest with you, when I signed that, I told them, when I have an All-Pro year, expect me to come back. …. Everybody kind of giggled a bit, but in my head, I used it as motivation."
Heyward said he doesn't regret signing the deal he did last year, and understood the team's position after he had an injury-plagued 2023 season.
"I can't complain about what happened because I was going through an injury, which I chose to play through and be there for my guys," he said. "At the end of the day, I want to be there for them regardless."
Despite that, Heyward said "there are options" that could lead to this turning into him missing games this season.
Heyward was not dressed for practice on Monday, but has regularly been a part of team meetings and individual drills. He has not taken part in team drills, but players of his ilk and age rarely do that, anyway. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin dismissed his absence from team practice as a non-issue earlier on Monday.
Heyward said he's had talks with Mike Tomlin, Omar Khan and Steelers president Art Rooney II, and said those talks have been respectful.
"I just want to continue to be playing at a high level here," he said.
Brendan Howe provided reporting from Unity Township.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Cam Heyward Says He Warned Steelers Hold-Out Was Coming with All-Pro Season; Willing to Miss Games
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