Steelers Get Accused Of Leaking Critical Information To Make Cam Heyward Look Bad

The Pittsburgh Steelers got some interesting news as it was leaked that Cam Heyward was holding in while seeking a raise. Just an hour after the Heyward news hit the public eye, Steelers fans were alerted that star kicker Chris Boswell was also looking for a new deal. Both markets had recently reset, and both players reportedly felt they were underpaid.

The Heyward situation is particularly intriguing because he had just signed a new deal ahead of the 2024 season. His desire for another adjustment so soon after inking fresh terms caught many by surprise and stirred debate among fans and analysts about the reasoning behind the move.

During an episode of 93.7 The Fan on Monday morning, Joe Starkey asked Bob Pompeani about the situation. The two suggested that the Steelers themselves may have leaked this information on purpose, hinting that the team might have wanted it to go public to shape the narrative.

"That is a good question, certainly not Cam [Heyward]," Pompeani said. "People love Cam Heyward, and they respect what he has done. He’s a Walter Payton Man of the Year. He has been tremendous. Even at this age, he has been the one constant on that defensive line. I just think he wants to be paid what the average is. It changes all the time, and that is the problem."

Now that is a very interesting thought, and it raises an important question. Why would the Steelers want Heyward’s contract request or hold-in to be leaked to the fan base? If what Pompeani and Starkey are suggesting is true, then perhaps the Steelers wanted the narrative to be out in the open. The organization has always had a strong relationship with Heyward, but maybe internally they did not want this particular situation to remain private.

Someone clearly leaked the information, and all signs point to the fact that it was not Heyward. He was reportedly unhappy that the news made its way to the public, which strongly suggests it did not come from him or his representatives. According to Pompeani, that alone is telling, because if Heyward and his camp were not responsible, the leak almost certainly came from somewhere within the team.

If that is indeed the case, the motivation behind the leak becomes the real mystery. It could have been a strategic move to shape public opinion, gain leverage in negotiations, or simply put pressure on Heyward to soften his stance. Whatever the reason, the situation has now taken on an entirely different tone, with the focus shifting from Heyward’s request to the possibility of an intentional move by the Steelers to control the storyline.

Steelers' Cam Heyward Just Wants His Market Price

The Steelers fan base clearly has a deep appreciation for Heyward. However, they did not seem overly excited about this information only now coming to light. The reality is that each year the market rises for key positions, and Heyward is no exception. In 2024, he turned in a remarkable season where he dominated and earned All-Pro honors.

Despite his age, Heyward is still performing at the level of one of the best interior defensive linemen in the league. He simply wants to be compensated in line with what he believes he is worth. It remains to be seen how the Steelers will handle Heyward’s hold-in. There is little doubt that, in time, both sides will find a way to reach an agreement that is fair for everyone involved.

What are your most honest thoughts on the Heyward hold-in? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias.

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