The Pittsburgh Steelers have had an interesting offseason and one of the strangest moments came when it was revealed Cam Heyward was seeking more money for the 2025 season. While Heyward turned in a massive 2024 campaign despite the odds being stacked against him, he was recognized as an All-Pro once again. Many Steelers fans had written him off after the 2023 season. He used the doubt as motivation and turned in an incredible 2024 season.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers' Cam Heyward stands beside TJ Watt while watching a training camp practice in Latrobe, PA.
That’s an incredibly impressive feat at this stage in his career, and now the 36-year-old defensive captain is pushing for a new deal heading into the 2025 season. So far, the Steelers’ front office has not resolved the contract situation. On Monday, Adam Schefter appeared on The Pat McAfee Show and echoed some sentiments that are likely to scare Pittsburgh fans about Week 1 against the New York Jets.
"Cam Heyward has a decision to make before the Steelers play on Sunday..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 1, 2025
It's gonna be interesting to see if he's out on the practice field this Wednesday" ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/OD1FqOYuT6
Schefter noted that Heyward and the Steelers have not settled this issue, which could impact his availability when the team opens the season. While he admitted he doesn’t truly know what will happen, his comments hinted that Heyward’s absence in Week 1 is a very real possibility.
"We are gonna see, he has a big decision to make there," Schefter said. "It was actually the first thing I thought of when I saw that Jaylen Warren has a new deal… they have not resolved that, they have not been able to figure it out."
Schefter hasn’t exactly been in the know when it comes to what will happen with Heyward.
Jeff Dean / AP Photo
Steelers leader Cam Heyward gets ready during an away game.
Perhaps the biggest takeaway, though, is the mere possibility that missing the Week 1 game is even being discussed. That in itself is a concern and a distraction.
"I would think it is gonna be very interesting to see if Cam Heyward is on the practice field Wednesday," Schefter said. "As the Steelers get ready to open their season on Sunday against the Jets… I would imagine he will have a decision to make on Sunday. We probably will get an idea where he is at on Wednesday. If he is not practicing, then it is not gonna be a great sign… It’s about to get interesting there."
For a team that relies heavily on its defensive front to set the tone, the absence of its most experienced leader would be a major setback. The Jets are expected to enter 2025 with a mobile Justin Fields and an improved offense, making the Steelers’ defensive presence in the trenches all the more critical.
Steelers Fans Not Expecting Cam Heyward To Miss Any Games By Choice
The possibility of Heyward not being on the field in Week 1 adds even more pressure to Pittsburgh’s younger defenders. Many Steelers fans, however, are overly confident that Heyward will not miss any games in 2025 by choice.
Heyward deserves whatever he wants. He has been a staple in Pittsburgh, and many fans respect his decisions. The concern, though, is that the season is here, and time is running out for both Heyward’s career and this aging defensive roster. All eyes will be on Heyward leading up to this game.
Matt Freed / Post-Gazette
Steelers' Cam Heyward yells after making a huge play during a game in the Steel City of Pittsburgh.
However, just because the Steelers' fan base doesn’t think Heyward will miss any games by choice, a top insider is saying it is definitely a possibility. That is scary for Steelers fans to hear so close to the season opener.
Does this message from Adam Schefter scare you at all? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me.
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