August 11, 2025

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward is in search of a new contract, and he suggested to the media on Monday that he's willing to sit out regular-season games if he doesn't get one. "There are definitely options out there that could reflect that," said Heyward, who's holding in and hasn't practiced with teammates since the first week of training camp. The 36-year-old has instead been doing individual work in advance of his 15th season. A career-long Steeler, Heyward signed a two-year, $29 million extension last September, but he told management at the time that he'd ask for a raise if he earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2024. Heyward achieved his goal after appearing in all 17 regular-season games and tallying 71 tackles and eight sacks. He's now "looking to be valued" after another excellent season, and head coach Mike Tomlin expects the two sides to get a deal done. Tomlin told reporters that he believes "we'll find a way to see our way through these things." With the Steelers set to open the regular season on Sept. 7 against the New York Jets, they have less than a month to hammer out an arrangement with Heyward. Otherwise, they could open the year without a franchise icon and one of their defensive linchpins.--Connor Byrne
Source: ESPN - Brooke Pryor