Aug 12, 2025
Heyward
LATROBE — Cam Heyward needs a elevate. And the longtime Pittsburgh Steelers defensive deal with is open to sitting out regular-season video games to get one.
Heyward instructed reporters Monday that he approached the membership a couple of reworked deal in February after being chosen to the All-Professional workforce for the fourth time in his 14-year profession. There was no motion on that entrance almost three weeks into coaching camp.
“Actually seeking to be valued,” Heyward mentioned. “I do know what I carry to this workforce and what I’m able to on and off the sector, so it’s laborious for me after the yr I’ve needed to actually justify enjoying on the quantity I’m enjoying at.”
Now 36, Heyward is a seven-time Professional Bowl choice and had been “holding in” throughout camp, taking part in some particular person exercises however skipping some fully-padded 11-on-11 snaps. He stood on the sideline in road garments on Monday because the Steelers started the ultimate exercises of their annual three-week go to to Saint Vincent School.
Heyward mentioned the workforce requested him to take a pay lower final summer time. They ironed out a reworked deal as a substitute that runs by means of 2026.
He responded by bouncing again from an injury-marred 2023 to complete with eight sacks, 71 tackles and 11 passes defensed because the Steelers went 10-7 and reached the playoffs for the fourth time in 5 years.
“Once I take a look at the market and I take a look at what I’ve achieved, it’s laborious to essentially wrap my head round enjoying a quantity the place I’m not even half of what the remainder of the market is,” Heyward mentioned. “I can’t say I’m not disenchanted with the place we’re at. I feel it’s fairly easy of the way it may very well be dealt with. … I simply want I may simply be on the market not having to fret about this.”
Neither Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin nor defensive coordinator Teryl Austin are bothered by Heyward’s place or his lack of participation presently of yr.
“Cam’s been doing this a very long time,” Tomlin mentioned. “I don’t work Cam lots in these situations (throughout camp).”
The Steelers do have a bit of little bit of wiggle room underneath the wage cap, however have additionally doled out hefty contracts to star exterior linebacker TJ Watt, extensive receiver DK Metcalf and not too long ago acquired defensive again Jalen Ramsey.
Heyward, the 2023 Walter Payton Man of the 12 months, has lengthy said he needs to be a “one helmet man,” that means he would favor to spend his complete profession in Pittsburgh. Whereas that’s hardly at risk at this level, his aggressive stance has thrown a wrinkle into a comparatively quiet camp.
Copyright © 2025 Central Pennsylvania Newspapers, LLC | https://www.altoonamirror.com | 301 Cayuga Ave., Altoona, PA 16602 | 814-946-7411
