The Pittsburgh Steelers have been fortunate to benefit from Cameron Heyward's outstanding contributions to the team's defense since 2011. For the first time in his career, Heyward has announced that he will be skipping Organized Team Activities (OTAs). This decision stems from his hope to secure a new deal before the 2024 season begins.
NFL
Steelers' Cameron Heyward accepting the 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award from Prince Harry.
Heyward has had a remarkable career in Pittsburgh, but the NFL is not kind to veterans. The game moves quickly, and once a player is past their prime, their time in the league can end swiftly. Heyward has been a standout for the Steelers' defense for over a decade. Now aged 35, some pundits are questioning how much he has left in the tank.
In 2024, Heyward will carry a $22 million cap hit, the second highest on the team. For a 14-year veteran that isn't a quarterback, that is a substantial amount of money, leading many to wonder if the Steelers would ask him to take a pay cut. Heyward was frustrated by that notion and believes he is worth more money, even beyond his current contract, which is why he is not attending OTAs as he seeks a new deal.
On Wednesday, NFL insider Mike Florio joined 93.7 The Fan to discuss Heyward's contract situation. Florio does not believe it will be easy for the Steelers to find a solution.
"Anytime there's a Steelers player that isn't happy with his contract, my first thought is we want volunteers, not hostages… So when you get in a situation like that where you have a guy who's not happy with his contract, and maybe he wants to go somewhere else, and I can't imagine Cam Heyward playing for anyone but the Steelers. But I think of 'we want volunteers, not hostages.'"
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin is known for his popular sayings, often referred to as Tomlinisms. One of his most famous is: "We want volunteers, not hostages," meaning the team values players who are committed to the collective effort, not just those clocking in their time. They seek players willing to put in extra work without complaint, embodying the spirit of the city and grinding with their heads down.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers' Cam Heyward and Mike Tomlin walk off the field after a game.
Heyward has exemplified this attitude throughout his career, which is likely why he wants a new deal. Heyward was frustrated by fans calling for a pay cut after he worked hard through injury and recovery. He believes he deserves fair compensation and wants the Steelers to take care of him before the season begins. Given Heyward's age and reduced production during the injury-riddled 2023 season, it’s a challenging situation for the Steelers to navigate.
"It's not an easy situation, and I'm sure the Steelers, especially with a key player like that, you want to try to make him happy. You want wanna try to work it out. But you got a broader salary cap landscape to deal with. You gotta fit enough guys under that.… it's tough to give him a major raise at this stage of his career."
The Steelers boast one of the richest traditions in professional sports. When players join the team in Pittsburgh, they often become part of the Steelers family in their post-playing career. On top of that, spending an entire career with the Steelers is a rare club to be in. It’s a true honor to spend an entire career with the Steelers, and Heyward is on the verge of achieving this milestone.
Steelers' James Harrison Had A Situation Similar To Cam Heyward's
The idea of Heyward finishing his career elsewhere is surprising, but not unprecedented. We’ve seen players like James Harrison play for rivals to extend their careers. Harrison spent a season with the Cincinnati Bengals after the Steelers released him over a pay cut dispute, but ended up back in the Steel City shortly after.
David Kohl / Associated Press
Steelers' James Harrison during his one season with the Bengals.
Although he eventually returned to Pittsburgh, the situation highlights the difficult decisions teams and players must sometimes make. While the situations aren't identical, there are similarities. The Steelers hold Heyward in high regard and will do everything within reason to keep him a Steeler for life.
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