The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cameron Heyward are at a standoff. With one year left on his deal, Heyward is looking to get one last major extension before he retires. After a season where he played through injuries, the team is not necessarily willing to give him what he wants. Heyward briefly held out, but he did show back up to mandatory minicamp without his desired contract. This could easily end up being Heyward's last season in Pittsburgh for multiple reasons, and he talked about that possibility as well.
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Defensive lineman Cameron Heyward stares down the crowd during a Pittsburgh Steelers game against the Cleveland Browns.
Heyward previously stated that he was perfectly fine with the idea of leaving Pittsburgh at the end of the year and playing for someone else. Money talks, and Heyward could test out free agency and see who is willing to give him the bag in the 2025 offseason. Whether or not it happens or not is to be determined, and the 2024 season will dictate a lot of what happens.
However, Pittsburgh is still his first choice. While Heyward said he is at ease with leaving the team, he also said that he wants to be a "one-helmet guy" and play his entire career with the Steelers. Mark Kaboly made an appearance on 93.7 The Fan to talk about what he believes Heyward's mindset truly is on the situation.
"[Cameron Heyward] was saying the words, but he wasn't believing what he said, if that makes any sense: moving on, playing for another team, got to do what you got to do. You saw his face. I guess the worst-case scenario, if he had to do it, he'll do it, but to me, I read it as him just wanting to stick around here and it's just a matter of when that's going to happen in my eyes. I think he was playing the old media game a little bit, out there showing the Steelers, 'Hey, I'm willing to move on if that's what it comes down to,' but I still have that feeling that he's still going to get this done sometime in training camp or right around training camp."
Players have been known to say or do anything that would give them a little bit of leverage and make the team sign them to whatever they wanted. While Heyward has been more low-key about it than many other holdouts, he still has a few tricks up his sleeve. Negotiations will likely continue between the Steelers and Heyward's agent throughout the rest of the offseason and training camp.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers' Cam Heyward and Mike Tomlin walk off the field after a game.
Omar Khan previously stated that the Steelers will continue with their policy of not negotiating once the regular season starts. If the Steelers can't get a deal done with Heyward before Week 1, then Heyward will have to prove to everyone that he is still the same player that he has been prior to 2023. If he can, someone will give him what he wants. If not, free agency might be a rough time period for Heyward in 2025.
Steelers Can Still Work With Heyward After 2024
The Steelers' policy of in-season signings does not apply to the beginning of the offseason / end of the league year. If Heyward does not get his contract before Week 1, the Steelers will wait until their season is over before they continue negotiations. From there, the Steelers will have about two months to work out a deal with their defensive captain.
The Steelers have been known to take good care of their franchise players. If Heyward does prove that he is still a great defensive lineman, the organization will most likely sign him to what he wants. If not, then Heyward will have to decide if he is willing to stay in Pittsburgh for less money or not. Either way, Steeler Nation will know how true Heyward's statement is if he is still unsigned by season's end.
What do you think about Heyward potentially not believing his own words about leaving the Steelers? Let us know in the comments.
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