Bombshell Report Suggests Steelers Have No Intention Of Caving To The Demands Of Cameron Heyward

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been all over the place throughout the course of the 2025 offseason. Moves have been made in several different areas to bolster the depth chart, and once TJ Watt finally signed his new contract extension, it was believed that there would be no distractions during training camp. Unfortunately, that has not been the case. It was recently reported that All-Pro defensive lineman Cameron Heyward has been holding-in during practices because he feels as if he is not paid well enough, despite signing a fresh contract during the 2024 offseason.

It is hard to imagine the Steelers not rewarding Heyward, but the franchise may feel as if that it already had that taken care of a year ago. Now, after a phenomenal 2024 campaign, the veteran wants a new deal. Pittsburgh typically never changes a contract of this structure with two years of it remaining, so many are wondering how everything will unfold.

ESPN NFL insider, Adam Schefter, made an appearance on NFL Live on Tuesday to discuss the happenings around the league. When it came to Pittsburgh and Heyward's situation, he did not sound at all confident that anything is close to being resolved, but he noted what Heyward may be thinking.

"He wants cash now because he knows, frankly, that there aren't many years left in his career," Schefter said. "I think you add in this: Pittsburgh, this offseason, has gone out of its way to take care of any number of players from outside and inside the organization. DK Metcalf, Jalen Ramsey, [Jonnu] Smith, Darius Slay and, of course, TJ Watt."

Heyward has been a very important contributor for the Steelers' defense since he was drafted back in 2011, but the feeling is that Pittsburgh wants him to honor the deal he agreed to in 2024. Schefter doesn't think that the two sides are anywhere close to coming up with a solution, as the organization does not want to open up the checkbook once again.

"Here's a player who feels like he's meant an awful lot to this team who hasn't gotten paid," Schefter explained. "The two sides have not bridged any of their differences, and it doesn't look seem like the Steelers want to pay right now." 

Something is going to have to give in the coming weeks because the Steelers' defense would be at an extreme disadvantage without Heyward on the field. With that said, it doesn't appear as if the front office is planning on giving away more cash to the team captain.

Schefter is arguably the most respected insider in the entire NFL. It is no small piece of news when he says something of this magnitude on national television in a primetime slot. The Steelers may not believe that Heyward should receive extra money right now, and could want to wait until the 2026 offseason to reward him. That is if and only if he performs at a high level once again.

On Heyward's end, nothing is guaranteed for a 36-year-old, despite the fact that he is still playing phenomenally. It would probably be a mistake for him to lose an entire season due to some kind of holdout, but there is no doubt that he seems to be putting his foot down. With that, so is the team, and the situation is getting murkier as each day passes. Schefter's report should raise even more questions, as this information will certainly make its way back to Heyward's camp.

Steelers Need Omar Khan To Work Some Magic

Heyward is a vital part of Pittsburgh's operation. General Manager Omar Khan is known for being a wizard with numbers, so he has to be able to find a way to reward the defensive lineman without putting the present or future at risk for the organization when it comes to the finances. Time will tell how this story ends, but if the Steelers refuse to pay Heyward what he believes he is worth, it could get ugly rather quickly.

Do you think that the Steelers are eventually going to pay Heyward? Let us know in the comments below!

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