The Pittsburgh Steelers got some strange news as the 2025 NFL season gets closer to kickoff. It was revealed that longstanding team captain Cam Heyward was seeking a raise for the upcoming year. In the 2024 season, Heyward turned back the clock and shocked many doubters with an All-Pro campaign that reminded everyone of his elite level of play.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin blows fans a kiss while walking off the field with Cam Heyward.
Now, at 36 years old, he feels he deserves to be rewarded for that performance and cannot justify playing under his current deal. Updates from NFL insider Adam Schefter even suggested that Heyward might not suit up in Week 1 against the New York Jets if negotiations do not move in his favor.
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin met with the media on Tuesday and was asked directly about Heyward’s availability. Tomlin praised his veteran captain’s leadership and sure made it sound like Heyward would be on the field Week 1 against the Jets. The idea that Heyward would miss a game by his own discretion at this stage in his career sounds crazy, but Schefter's doubt has worried the fan base. Tomlin's comments on Tuesday helped clear the air.
"I'm certainly expecting Cam to play. Cam doesn't play a lot in team development over the last several years," Tomlin said Tuesday via the team's YouTube channel. "My job is to get him in and out of Latrobe, and I've done my job. So there are no reservations about his participation or his readiness, I'm sure he's chomping at the bit."
Tomlin addressed the situation on Tuesday and spoke with clear admiration for Heyward. He described his captain as the heartbeat of the team and made it known that he fully expects him to be on the field when the season kicks off. Tomlin’s tone left no doubt about the trust and respect he has for his longtime leader, and he expressed genuine excitement about what lies ahead in 2025 with Heyward anchoring the defense.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin roams the practice field as his team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
The financial side of Heyward’s situation, however, remains unresolved. His standout 2024 season gave him strong leverage, and he has been vocal about wanting that effort reflected in his contract. The organization has not yet decided how to respond, leaving a cloud of uncertainty around how the negotiations will unfold. Until something is finalized, the possibility of further tension cannot be ruled out.
The Steelers Are Getting Ready For High Pressure 2025 Season
The stakes are high because of what Heyward represents to the franchise. He is not only a dominant presence on the field, but also a standard-setter for the locker room, and the Steelers know how valuable that is heading into a season where expectations are sky-high with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. Whether or not the front office finds common ground with him financially, the way this standoff plays out will be one of the defining stories as the 2025 campaign begins.
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Steelers' Mike Tomlin (left) and Cam Heyward (right) walk together during a road game against the Buffalo Bills.
For Pittsburgh, the possibility of starting the year without Heyward is concerning. His impact goes well beyond stats as he is the heartbeat of the defense and a tone-setter in the locker room. With Rodgers now leading the offense, the Steelers are entering 2025 with high expectations, and having their defensive captain fully committed is critical.
Whether the front office decides to meet Heyward’s demands or risk a prolonged standoff, the outcome of this contract dispute will carry weight as the Steelers prepare for one of their most anticipated seasons in recent memory. All eyes are on the Steelers as they get ready to start their 2025 campaign.
What do you expect from Heyward and the Steelers in Week 1 against the Jets? 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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