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Cam Heyward contract dispute: Steelers agree to revised deal with star defender

Danby: Daniel Hager09/07/25DanielHagerOn3
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© Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Just one night before the first NFL Sunday of the 2025 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers and four-time All-Pro defensive tackle Cameron Heyward reached agreement on a revised deal that will add over $3 million in incentives this year and allows him to earn up $18 million this season, per ESPN‘s Adam Schefter.

Heyward will play Sunday in Pittsburgh’s season opener against the New York Jets.

In August, Heyward, who signed a three-year, $45 million deal last year, spoke to reporters about seeking an adjusted contract. He explained his stance on the issue.

“It’s hard for me, after the year that I had, to really justify playing at the number I’m playing at,” Heyward said, per Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. “I understand I signed the contract last year. But to be completely honest with you, when I signed that, I told the team when I have an All-Pro year, expect me to come back.

“People look at the contract and see what it was. I think everybody kind of giggled a little bit, but in my head, I use it as motivation to go out there and prove it.”

Cam Heyward talks about his current contract

Heyward also talked about being approached last year and taking a pay cut. “We ended up getting the deal done,” he said. “When I look at the market and I look at what I’ve done, it’s hard to really wrap my head around playing at a number where I’m not even half of what the rest of the market is.”

The Ohio State alum was scheduled to be the NFL’s 36th highest-paid defensive lineman this season, and its 18th highest-paid defensive tackle. This offseason, the Steelers have given new contracts to wide receiver DK Metcalf, quarterback Aaron Rodgers and edge rusher TJ Watt.

Following his revised deal now, Pittsburgh’s great offseason has come to a close. Their franchise cornerstone is back.

Heyward is preparing to enter his 15th NFL season and still operating at a high level. This past season he recorded 71 tackles (12 for loss), eight sacks, and a career-best 11 passes defended. 

The defensive lineman has seven Pro Bowl appearance and has been named a first team All-Pro four times. Additionally, he won the Walter Payton Man of the Year award in 2023 and is second in Steelers franchise history with 88.5 career sacks, trailing only teammate TJ Watt.