The dispute between defensive tackle Cam Heyward and the Pittsburgh Steelers took an interesting turn on Tuesday.
Pittsburgh Steelers DT Cameron Heyward Ends Hold-In
Cameron Heyward is working at practice in pads for the first time since his contract dispute became public on Aug. 7. pic.twitter.com/gqAVwHF2J7
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) August 19, 2025
The hold-in is over.
Heyward practiced in full pads with the Steelers on Wednesday for the first time since he went public with his contract dispute.
Heyward reported for training camp with the Steelers at St. Vincent College. However, Heyward began his hold-in on Aug. 7, electing to stand on the sideline during team periods.
Just because Heyward participated in practice does not mean he wants to end contract negotiations. Per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, Heyward still wants a pay increase for his contract.
On Aug. 11, Heyward spoke to the media about the frustrations with his current deal.
“I understand that I signed a contract last year,” Heyward told reporters. “But to be completely honest with you, when I signed that, I told them, ‘When I have an All-Pro year, expect me to come back.’ … I think everybody kind of giggled a little bit. But in my head, I used it as motivation to go out there and prove it.”
Heyward agreed to a two-year, $29 million extension in September 2024, keeping him under contract through the 2026 season.
Heyward’s contract carries an average annual value of $14.75 million, which ranks 23rd among interior defensive linemen (Overthecap.com).
What Happens Next With Cam Heyward?
Cam Heyward, who is the 22nd paid DT, said he’s “looking to be valued.”
“It’s hard for me, after the year that I had, to really justify playing at the number I’m playing at.”
Said he told the team, “When I have an all-pro year, expect me to come back.” pic.twitter.com/8TvY3d9YJL
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) August 11, 2025
Where does Heyward go from here?
Heyward issues a formal request to the Steelers’ front office to renegotiate his contract in February.
Heyward is coming off a season where he appeared in all 17 regular-season games and registered 71 tackles, eight sacks, 20 quarterback hits, and 11 passes defended.
Heyward was named First-Team All-Pro for the fourth time in his career.
The biggest question surrounding Heyward’s situation is whether the defensive lineman would miss games due to his contract dispute.
Heyward teased that there are “options out there that could reflect that” when asked about sitting out games.
“There are definitely options out there that could reflect that,” Heyward said on Monday.
“My goal is to be out here,” Heyward told reporters on Aug. 11. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. I’ve had to be honest with myself to be ready for every option. Has it gone the way I wanted it to go? No. If it did, I would be out there playing and practicing. But I’d like to put this in the rearview mirror and worry about ball and worry about the New York Jets Week 1.”
