Steelers' Cam Heyward Has Lost All Leverage Amidst Contract Dispute: "Playing A Dangerous Game With The Organization"

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cameron Heyward seem to be potentially nearing the end of their relationship that is entering its 14th year. Heyward's current contract is set to expire at the end of the 2024 season, and he has made it clear he would like to be extended and finish his career out in Pittsburgh. He has stated that he is warming up to the idea of playing with a different team if he doesn't get a new deal with the Steelers, but his recent actions may have thrown away all of his leverage in the situation.

When Heyward's desire for a new contract initially became clear, it seemed like the Steelers were headed for a drama-filled summer. Heyward skipped the first few sessions of the Steelers' Organized Team Activities (OTAs), and it seemed like the holdout could last until training camp. The veteran eventually arrived at the voluntary OTAs, which was criticized by his former teammate Arthur Moats on his podcast, The Arthur Moats Experience With Deke.

"I’m trying to see how this thing plays out because at times I think he wants to, you know, do the full lock my feet down and prove my point to get whatever I’m trying to get financially. But then he does certain things where it’s like he isn’t willing to go all the way there. You playing a dangerous game with the organization when you’re playing this back and forth."

Heyward initially skipped the first part of OTAs, which is a normal occurrence in the NFL with older players. The sessions are voluntary, and Head Coach Mike Tomlin typically doesn't mind his proven veterans missing a few. TJ Watt missed some of OTAs due to a vacation, which wasn't a big deal. The reason Heyward's name was in headlines for the same thing was because he made it known that he wanted a new deal. Moats shared more about why he thinks Heyward came back to soon.

"If it was, ‘I want to get this contract and I want to get this contract over everything’, I don’t think we would have seen him before mandatory minicamp."

Players get fined for each day that they don't attend mandatory minicamp, while there is no punishment for missing OTAs. Even players that are in the middle of a holdout sometimes show up to mandatory minicamp to avoid the fines. Heyward showed up to OTAs about a week before minicamp, which was a shock considering his public desire for a new deal.

If Heyward was serious about a new deal, he wouldn't of shown his face once at OTAs. The organization now knows that Heyward can't put his good leadership and loyalty aside for his own benefit. Heyward has been a good teammate, leader, and philanthropist throughout his career, and this is what ultimately could keep him from getting the new deal that he desires.

Steelers' Cam Heyward Must Get A New Deal Before The Season Begins

Heyward's time with the Steelers will likely be over if he doesn't get a new deal before the regular season kicks off. Pittsburgh has historically refused to negotiate new deals in the middle of a season, and General Manager Omar Khan recently confirmed that that trend will continue in 2024. The chances of an extension getting done before the regular season seem slim, as Heyward enters what could be his last year wearing the black and gold.

When Heyward's current contract expires at the end of the 2024 season, Pittsburgh will once again have the chance to re-sign Heyward before he hits free agency. The defensive tackle has never made it to free agency before, as the organization has always extended him before his contracts have expired. It will be interesting to see if the Steelers will have any desire to bring Heyward back, and whether or not Heyward would sign a team-friendly deal.

What do you think about the way Heyward has handled his contract situation? Let us know in the comments below!

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