Steelers' Cam Heyward Delivers Blunt Truth About TJ Watt's Uncertain Future In Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ veteran leader, Cam Heyward, shocked all his doubters when he turned in an All-Pro season during the 2024 campaign. Many had written Heyward off and claimed he was out of his prime, but the 35-year-old defensive tackle used the criticism as motivation to produce one of the best seasons of his career. He dominated at the line of scrimmage, reminded the league of his elite talent, and reasserted himself as one of the most respected voices in the Steelers' locker room.

Heyward also faced contract negotiations with the franchise ahead of the 2024 season. At one point, there was uncertainty about whether he would remain in Pittsburgh, but the two sides eventually reached an agreement. Now, his longtime teammate and fellow defensive star TJ Watt is dealing with a similar situation. Despite continuing to play at an elite level, Watt's long-term future with the Steelers is unclear, sparking growing concern among fans and insiders.

On Wednesday, Heyward joined The Rich Eisen Show and shared his honest thoughts about Watt’s uncertain future. He spoke candidly about how much Watt means to the team, both as a generational talent and as a cornerstone of the Steelers' identity. While Heyward acknowledged the business side of football, he made it clear that losing Watt would be a devastating blow. He urged the organization to keep its core intact and do whatever it takes to ensure Watt remains in Pittsburgh.

"Man, that's my brother," Heyward said. "I want that dude to get paid what he deserves. That dude is one of the most fierce, and best players in our league. And he's respected throughout the league. I've had the best time being able to play with him, and I hope this year is not the last time we play together, because that dude, that's my running mate, and we create a lot of havoc together. And I just want to see that guy continue to be a Pittsburgh Steeler, and be a one helmet guy."

Watt is set to become a free agent after the 2025 season. He wants a new deal before the upcoming season begins and hopes to be taken care of by the organization. He is also expected to become the highest-paid pass rusher in football, which is a risk the Steelers will have to take if they want to keep him long-term.

During his interview, Heyward even joked about the possibility of Watt being traded. While said in jest, the comment highlighted just how real the uncertainty surrounding Watt’s future has become in Pittsburgh.

"I'm going up to Omar [Khan] and I'm telling him, 'That's not happening!'" Heyward said in a joking way on Watt being traded. "If there's even a trade that gets up there. I don't think it helps our team to trade a guy like that."

Watt is arguably one of the best players in the NFL, but he is not getting any younger. With each passing season, the urgency to secure his future and give both him and Heyward a real shot at postseason success continues to grow. Despite their dominance on the field, the window to build a championship team around them may be starting to close.

Steelers Not Likely To Let TJ Watt Out Of Pittsburgh

The Steelers need to manage their budget carefully, which is likely why they have not yet reached an agreement with Watt. While there is still some uncertainty, it feels like the Steelers will eventually do right by Watt and finalize a deal to keep him in Pittsburgh. 

One rumored holdup is the guaranteed money in the third year of the contract, which could be a key sticking point in negotiations. It will be interesting to see how Pittsburgh and Watt navigate the process as the pressure builds.

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