Cameron Heyward Returns to Steelers Practice, Reportedly No Progress on New Contract

Cameron Heyward returned to practice Tuesday, but that doesn't mean he is happy with his contract situation.

ESPN's Brooke Pryor reported Tuesday there has been no progress toward a renegotiated contract despite a source saying the return to practice "doesn't signal the end of his desire for a renegotiation."

Pryor noted Heyward started a training camp hold-in on Aug. 7 and then told reporters about his stance on Aug. 11.

"I'm looking to be valued," Heyward said. "... I know what I bring to this team and what I'm capable of on and off the field, so it's hard for me, after the year I've had, to really justify playing at the number I'm playing at.

"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 expecting me to come back and you can look at the contract and see what it was. But I think everybody kind of giggled a little bit, but in my head, I used it as motivation to go out there and prove it."

The Ohio State product signed a two-year, $29 million extension in September 2024, which Pryor pointed out puts him at 23rd in the league for average annual value for interior defensive linemen.

Yet he is one of the veteran leaders of the team who has remained productive well into his career.

His resume includes seven Pro Bowl selections and four First-Team All-Pro nods after he added to both of those totals in his age-35 season in 2024. He posted 71 tackles, eight sacks and 11 passes defended last season while helping lead the Steelers to the playoffs.

Heyward also appeared in all 17 games.

He was dominant last season and is looking to get paid accordingly even if he just signed a new contract last year.