Cameron

Heyward

It’s a new listing, and one that puts Heyward’s status for Week 15 in some doubt ahead of Monday night. The veteran likely doesn’t actually need the practice at this point, but mid-week downgrades are always a bit scary. Sunday’s report should add some clarity to the proceedings.

Heyward had been playing coy on whether or not he would suit up Sunday. Now he will after the Steelers added “over $3 million in incentives this year.” The 36-year-old could now max out at $18 million this season. Despite his advanced age, Heyward has remained one of the very best defensive lineman in all of football. The Steelers need him more than ever as this era of Pittsburgh football continues to sunset.

It sounds like this is still uncertain, as Heyward looks for a contract adjustment. What is clear is that Heyward is healthy as he practiced in full yesterday and Thursday’s absence was a veteran’s day off per the injury report. If Heyward doesn’t play on Sunday, it would be good news for the Jets run-heavy attack in Week 1.

Heyward had held-in for a small portion of camp, but it sounds like it’s not completely over yet. The Steelers listed him as “resting vet” on the injury report. We’d still bet on Heyward being there for Week 1’s game against the Jets, but the Steelers would be in significantly more trouble against New York’s run-focused attack without Heyward, so it’s something worth monitoring.

Heyward has been holding-in since training camp on August 7th. He is awaiting a new contract after an All-Pro season last year. The Steelers signed him to a two-year, $29 million deal last September, but that average annual value ranks outside the top-20 interior defensive lineman. Heyward is 36, but is still a game-wrecker in the middle of the Steelers’ defense. There is still not progress on a new deal, but Heyward is practiced in individual periods on Tuesday.

It’s possible Heyward is just letting his thoughts be known while he seeks a reworked deal, but it’d be foolish to think these comments may not foreshadow a potential holdout or hold-in at some point before the season starts. Heyward, 36, is currently the 22nd-highest paid defensive tackle in the league and is coming off his fourth First-Team All-Pro season since 2017. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported last week that Heyward and the Steelers “have not made any progress” in talks for a new deal, which has likely led to the star lineman growing increasingly disgruntled as the season approaches. Heyward signed a three-year extension just last offseason, which may further complicate things. It’s safe to assume this won’t be the last we hear from Heyward on the matter.

The two sides are discussing the issue privately, and Heyward continues to practice in a limited capacity. Heyward remains a capable player at age 36. Per Schefter, Heyward’s 2024 All-Pro listing made him the first defensive lineman over the age of 35 to earn the honor since Bruce Smith in 1998.

The deal for the veteran includes $29 million in new money with $16 million fully guaranteed. The deal keeps Heyward in Pittsburgh for the foreseeable future where he will continue to be one of the faces of the franchise. Hayward is entering his age-35 season.

Currently in search of a new contract from the Steelers, Heyward said last week that he and his wife had discussed the possibility of needing to play elsewhere if he doesn’t re-sign with the Steelers beyond this season. Heyward, 35, appeared in 11 games for the Steelers last season, totaling two sacks and six TFLs. He combined for 20.5 sacks and 29 TFLs from 2021-2022, but he’s well past the age where we begin to see players decline. Heyward skipped OTAs but was present at minicamp, so we wouldn’t expect a holdout when training camp ramps up next month. With that said, we could be looking at the final season in Pittsburgh for a player who has long been a staple along the Steelers’ defensive interior.

Heyward has not attended voluntary offseason workouts and looks to sit out OTAs as he awaits a contract extension. The six-time Pro Bowler is entering the final season of a four-year, $65 million contract. He has been with the Steelers since getting drafted in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Heyward just turned 35 and is a three-time first-team All-Pro, though his 2023 season was plagued by injury. He appeared in 11 games, tallying two sacks and winning the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for his off-the-field work. Fowler notes that Heyward has never missed an offseason program. The Steelers will work to get an extension done with a mainstay of their defense for over the last decade.