Steelers Lock In Cam Heyward With Big Payday Ahead of Season Opener

Cam Heyward gets a revamped $3 million addition to his original deal.

Steelers Lock In Cam Heyward With Big Payday Ahead of Season Opener

Mike Tomlin and Cam Heyward (Image via IMAGO)

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The Pittsburgh Steelers sorted out a messy financial situation ahead of their 2025 opening day clash against the New York Jets by making Cam Heyward happy. Heyward accepted an improvement in his contract, ending his holdout.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Steelers agreed to include incentives that could bump Heyward’s pay by up to $3 million for this season ($18 million in 2025). Heyward’s agent, Michael Perrett, told the NFL Network that the new incentives will come into effect based on ‘playoffs and playoff wins.’

This new development resolved an issue that nearly sullied Heyward’s 14-year-long reputation as the Steelers’ defensive captain. Heyward signed an extension prior to the 2024 season despite an underwhelming 2023.

As per the agreement, the Steelers were scheduled to pay Heyward upwards of $16 million per year. After securing All-Pro honors, the 36-year-old felt that he was underpaid and requested that the front office compensate him accordingly, but they declined.

Hence, he began the long standoff. Initially, he stayed clear of practice. The situation slowly changed during the preseason game. He indulged in light practice and conditioning. 

Head coach Mike Tomlin remained confident about Heyward’s availability in their week one fixture, but people close to the player hinted otherwise.

During a press conference on Friday, Heyward confided that he’s not doing this out of greed; rather, he has to take care of his family.

This is a business. I cannot play this game forever. And just like I’m maximizing on the field, I want to be maximized outside of it, and I want to be taken care of that way.

Cam Heyward told ESPN

One day later, the Steelers agreed to his demands, paving his way to make history against the Jets. Cam Heyward is set to become the first Steeler to start 15 consecutive NFL opening day games, a truly historic feat.

Analysts predict a bland season for the Steelers despite Cam Heyward’s extension

The Steelers are essentially a new team with several popular faces, assembled to steer a barely floating ship. One tiny hole can sink it.

Steelers Lock In Cam Heyward With Big Payday Ahead of Season Opener
Cam Heyward (Image via IMAGO)

With Russell Wilson and Justin Fields out of the picture, the Steelers went all in for 4x NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers. After a long courtship, the two parties finally agreed to join hands for one year.

Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan essentially traded one hothead for another, George Pickens was shipped to the Dallas Cowboys to make way for the arrival of DK Metcalf.

Jonnu Smith and Jalen Ramsey followed Metcalf to Pittsburgh, with Minkah Fitzpatrick going the other way down to South Beach. The Steelers’ summer bonanza finally reached its peak when TJ Watt became the highest-paid non-quarterback for a brief period.

From the outside, the Steelers appear to be world beaters with a future Hall of Famer as their main shot caller. However, a few skeptics aren’t so sure about the productivity of the fancy new toys. One of them is Mark Madden.

I’ve got a bland prediction. It’s going to be a bland season. The Pittsburgh Steelers will go 9-8. Stuck in the mushy middle. The Steelers will just make or just miss the playoffs. If they do make the postseason, the Steelers will be one-and-done. Same as it ever was.

Mark Madden recently wrote

BetMGM agreed with Madden’s prediction. The betting site hypothesized that the Steelers, who qualified for the postseason four of the last five campaigns, might miss out in 2025-26. They currently have +118 odds for a playoff appearance.

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