Steelers in contract drama with Cameron Heyward after T.J. Watt's record deal
After reaching a record-breaking agreement with T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh has another All-Pro defensive lineman to try and keep happy with Cameron Heyward seeking a restructured deal.
In a defensive market that has skyrocketed, with Watt being a $123 million piece of that boom, Heyward is reportedly seeking a raise to fit the market reset, but he has not been fully participating in training camp while he negotiates, according to ESPN.
The 36-year-old has two years left on his current deal, a three-year extension he signed just last September that will pay him $14.75 million this season and $14.5 million the next.
4 Cameron Heyward is seeking a pay raise.
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Under his current contract, he enters the season as the 36th-highest-paid defensive lineman and the 18th-highest-paid defensive tackle.
While he's nearing 40 years old, Heyward has still been one of the NFL's top interior defensive linemen, and he nabbed a First Team All-Pro selection this past season to show for it.
4 Heyward has been First-Team All-Pro four times across his career.
AP
Heyward racked up 71 total tackles and eight sacks in the 2024-25 season, and his All-Pro nod made him the first defensive lineman older than 35 to be voted for the honor since Bruce Smith in 1998.
Entering his 15th season with Pittsburgh, Heyward and the team have reportedly discussed his wishes privately, but have not made any progress on a restructured deal as he continues to not be a full participant at camp.
Pittsburgh has been a big spender this offseason, as Watt's three-year, $123 million contract has him as the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history.
4 TJ Watt signed a record-breaking contract with the Steelers this offseason.
AP
The Steelers also gave newly acquired wide receiver DK Metcalf four years, $132 million.
They will also pay newcomers Aaron Rodgers ($13 million), Jalen Ramsey ($26.6 million) and Jonnu Smith ($12 million).
Heyward isn't the only All-Pro Steeler looking for a raise either, as kicker Chris Boswell has also been privately seeking a new contract.
4 Chris Boswell has been a steady kicker for the Steelers for 10 seasons.
AP
Boswell was First Team All-Pro last season but was the lowest-paid kicker in the AFC North.
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