Cam Heyward, Steelers Reportedly Haven't Made 'Any Progress' on Restructured Contract

Despite having talks, the Pittsburgh Steelers and star defensive lineman Cameron Heyward reportedly aren't any closer to a reworked contract ahead of the 2025 NFL season.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Heyward is seeking a raise after the defensive market was reset this offseason, but while he and the Steelers have had negotiations, they "have not made any progress" toward an altered deal.

Heyward currently has two years and $29 million left on his contract, and $13.45 million of his $14.75 million salary for 2025 has already been earned in the form of a roster bonus.

The 36-year-old veteran has yet to be a full participant in practice during Steelers training camp, per Schefter, and his desire for a more satisfactory contract appears to be the reason why.

Originally the No. 31 overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft out of Ohio State, Heyward has spent his entire 14-year NFL career with the Steelers, and it has largely been spectacular.

Heyward is a seven-time Pro Bowler and four-time First Team All-Pro, and he was named the Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2023.

His string of six consecutive Pro Bowl appearances was broken in 2023 when he missed six games due to a groin injury, but Heyward bounced back in a big way last season.

Starting all 17 games, Heyward recorded 71 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, eight sacks and a career-high 11 passes defended en route to returning to the Pro Bowl and earning another First Team All-Pro selection at defensive tackle.

On top of that, Heyward received NFL Defensive Player of the Year votes for the first time in his career, finishing 13th.

For his career, Heyward has appeared in 211 regular-season games, racking up 718 tackles and 88.5 sacks.

Some of the biggest defensive stars in the NFL have received massive contract extensions since the end of the 2024 season, including Heyward's Steelers teammate in T.J. Watt, Cleveland Browns pass-rusher Myles Garrett, Las Vegas Raiders pass-rusher Maxx Crosby and New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner.

Given his age, it is understandable why the Steelers may not be looking to make a long-term commitment to Heyward, but a strong argument can be made that he has at least earned a raise over the final two years of his existing deal.

Pittsburgh will get its preseason slate started Saturday against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and its regular-season opener is set for Sept. 7 on the road against the Jets.