Steelers' Cam Heyward Has Massive Advantage To "Make His Money" In Dublin

The Pittsburgh Steelers sit at 2-1 on the 2025 NFL season after their Week 3 road win over the New England Patriots. This Steelers' defense has been criticized a lot through the first three games, and rightfully so for the most part. They have given up an average of 386 total yards per game. That’s just too much when the quarterbacks you faced are Justin Fields, Sam Darnold, and second-year QB Drake Maye. 

While the Steelers have shown flashes of dominance, particularly in pass-rush situations, the overall defensive performance has raised concerns about whether this unit can consistently stop opposing offenses. Now, during the Steelers’ 21-14 Week 3 victory in New England, the defense forced five turnovers, including two in the red zone. Those plays were massive, but the question remains: is that level of production sustainable? Obviously not.

Steelers media member Bob Pompeani pointed out something very interesting on social media on Monday. Pompeani revealed that the Minnesota Vikings will be without their starting left guard, Donovan Jackson. Jackson’s absence opens a potential vulnerability in the Vikings’ offensive line, and it creates a favorable matchup for Pittsburgh’s defensive front. Backup left guard Blake Brandel will be stepping in against the Steelers in Dublin, Ireland, and this shift could give Cam Heyward and the rest of the defensive line an opportunity to dominate early in the game.

Heyward’s presence alone is always a game-changer, but facing a backup lineman significantly increases the Steelers’ pass-rush and run-stopping potential. If Heyward can exploit this matchup, it could set the tone for the Steelers’ defense and help mitigate some of the struggles they’ve faced in the first three games. While the defense still needs to tighten up in coverage and limit big plays, this matchup in Dublin could give Pittsburgh a much-needed edge and possibly a blueprint for slowing down an offense moving forward.

As for Heyward earning his money, it’s pretty clear what transpired toward the start of the 2025 season and the end of the offseason. It was leaked that Heyward had been negotiating with the Steelers since early February 2025 about a new deal. This upset Steelers fans, as Heyward had just signed a new deal before the 2024 season.

Heyward had turned in an All-Pro season in 2024. He felt he deserved to be compensated for his play and didn’t want to play on his current valuation for the 2025 season. The Steelers addressed this by reworking a deal with Heyward that included incentives. According to Mike Florio’s source at Pro Football Talk, the incentive package is straightforward and clear-cut.

Steelers' Cam Heyward Looking To Earn $3.2 Million Bonus In 2025

Heyward gets $1.6 million if he records eight sacks and the Steelers make the playoffs. He earns another $1.6 million if he reaches 11.5 sacks and the Steelers win a playoff game. That’s a total of $3.2 million for Heyward, and currently, he has just one sack through the first three games. In Ireland, he’ll have a favorable matchup to help rack up some sacks toward his incentive bonus. 

But none of that matters if Pittsburgh doesn’t at least make the playoffs, and for the second half of the bonus, they have to win a playoff game, something a Mike Tomlin team hasn’t done since the 2016 season. Heyward will be looking to rack up sacks in Ireland and will be hopeful that his money will be "Dublin" after Week 4 helps him reach his incentive goals.

Are you expecting Steelers' Cam Heyward to fill up the stat sheet in Week 4 in Dublin, Ireland? 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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