Steelers' Jalen Ramsey Sends Direct Message To Omar Khan Regarding Cam Heyward's Contract Dispute

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had an eventful offseason in 2025, and the fireworks continue on. The organization has made many additions throughout the offseason and has been in countless headlines. That includes their pursuit of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the lengthy contract dispute with star outside linebacker TJ Watt. Fans thought the contractual issues were done, but earlier this month, it was reported that both Cam Heyward and Chris Boswell are holding-in until they get their contracts reworked. Both players want raises, with Boswell being a player who could receive an extension.

It was known throughout the offseason that Watt was looking for a lucrative extension that made him one of the highest-paid non-quarterbacks in the NFL, and he eventually got his wish before training camp began. Now, Heyward wants a raise after coming off of an All-Pro year in 2024. He held-in throughout training camp, and the issue continues on as no resolution has been reached. 

The most recent episode of Heyward's podcast, Not Just Football, featured Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay and Ramsey spoke out in solidarity with his teammate.

"We cant wait to be on the field with you Week 1," Ramsey said. "After everything goes down, everything's situated. We need all of y'all out there man, Mr. Omar [Khan]. Man, got a lot of respect for you Mr. Omar. Taken care of me, TJ, Slay. Cam is next. We excited man. We got potential to do something great if we got all our guys out there happy, feeling like they're valued. I know a little something about feeling valued and getting what you deserve. I'm with you. I'm with you."

Some fans are worried about Heyward's contract dispute being a distraction to the team and his fellow players, but that does not seem to be the case. Many players have spoken out about how it is not a distraction, and most players probably feel the same way that Ramsey does about the entire situation.

Ramsey was speaking directly to General Manager Omar Khan while making his statement, which shows that players on the team want to see Heyward get what he deserves. He also referenced his time with the Jacksonville Jaguars when talking about feeling valued, as he was in a famous contract dispute at the end of his rookie contract that wound up getting him traded to the Los Angeles Rams.

The Steelers do not normally conduct contractual business during the regular season, and Heyward seems content to sit out meaningful games until a deal between the two sides gets done. This puts pressure on the organization to pay Heyward, especially when considering how good he was in 2024 and the youth/lack of depth on the defensive line.

Steelers' Cam Heyward Is In A Difficult Spot

Heyward signed an extension ahead of the 2024 season, and many believe the defender and his agency should be blamed for the current contract dispute. Escalators could have been put into the deal to reflect the defensive captain's performance, or his team could have fought for more money when negotiating the extension. Despite that fact, Heyward more than deserves more money. He remains one of the best players at his position, but he is not paid like it. His current contract doesn't come close to the top-10 highest-paid defensive tackles, which is major reason he is asking for a raise.

Arguments can be made that both Heyward and Boswell deserve what they are asking for, but the Steelers are typically pretty stern when it comes to contract negotiations. It will be interesting to see how everything plays out, especially with Week 1 quickly approaching.

What do you think about Ramsey sticking up for his teammate? Let us know in the comments below!

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