Cam Heyward update: Steelers reveal veteran DT's status on latest practice report
The Pittsburgh Steelers released their second practice report for the season opener against the New York Jets and shared the status of Cam Heyward. The team announced that Heyward did not practice on Thursday because it was a rest day for him.
Adam Schefter of ESPN said that Heyward was not in uniform and didn’t participate in any of the team drills. Heyward was seeking an adjusted contract during the summer, but Brooke Pryor of ESPN said the former Ohio State defensive lineman normally takes Thursdays off for the last couple of years.
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.”
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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.”
Schefter noted that Heyward is currently 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.
Heyward is one of three Steelers listed on the Thursday practice report. Linebacker Nick Herbig is dealing with a hamstring injury and was a limited participant in practice. Rookie defensive lineman Derrick Harmon has a knee injury and is ruled out for the game against the Jets.