Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward revealed his playing status for the Week 1 game against the New York Jets.
Will Steelers DT Cam Heyward Play Against the Jets?
Just talked with Cam Heyward, who said he’s “preparing” when asked if he’s going to play on Sunday, but there’s nothing definitive about his status as contract discussions continue.
More to come.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) September 5, 2025
Heyward remains in a contract dispute with the Steelers.
The All-Pro defensive tackle has not come out and said he would sit out games if he does not have a contract. However, the 36-year-old also didn’t rule it out.
So is Heyward going to suit up for the Steelers in Week 1 against the Jets?
“I’m preparing,” he said when asked about his status for the team’s opening game via Brooke Pryor. “Still got some time, but we’ll see.”
Heyward added, “I wish I had a straight answer for you right now. All I can tell you is I’ve had to have a lot of tough conversations with my family.”
After an injury-riddled season in 2023, Heyward signed a two-year, $29 million contract extension before the start of the 2024 season, putting him under contract through the 2026 season.
Heyward had a stellar comeback season in 2024, where he was named First-Team All-Pro for the fourth time in his career. Heyward recorded 71 tackles, eight sacks, 20 quarterback hits, and 11 passes defended in 17 games.
Heyward’s contract earns him $14.75 million per year, which ranks 23rd among interior defensive linemen (Overthecap.com).
Last month, Heyward revealed that if he had an All-Pro season in 2024, he would initiate contract negotiations with the Steelers.
“I understand that I signed a contract last year,” Heyward said. “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 initially held in during training camp before returning to practice in mid-August.
More On Cam Heyward’s Contract Situation
Cam Heyward on the public response to his request for a reworked contract: “this is a business. I cannot play this game forever, and just like I’m maximized on the field, I want to be maximized outside of it. …
“It’s not being greedy. It’s just the way this game is.” pic.twitter.com/1f9w1rsgLW
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) September 5, 2025
Some of Heyward’s concerns involve incentives and guaranteed money. Pittsburgh typically does not give incentives to non-quarterbacks. Plus, his contract contains no guaranteed money beyond this season.
“They could cut me now, and they could have cut me right after the season, and it wouldn’t affect them,” Heyward said. “So there’s give and take on that, and this is a business if I can’t talk openly about it, and I had to work through this for myself. And I know I haven’t been as forward about this stuff because I’ve just been trying to work through answers and questions, but it’s something that I’ve had to think about.”
Pittsburgh usually does not touch contracts during the season, so if Heyward wants his new deal, he will likely have to get it before kickoff on Sunday.
