I have always been a big fan of Cameron Heyward, going back to when the Steelers drafted him with the 31st overall pick in 2011 out of Ohio State. Not only has he represented the franchise from the perspective of a Pittsburgher (he was born in the city), but he has done so with the utmost class, leading to him winning the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award in 2023. 

On the field, he has been a monster. Cam has made seven pro bowls, has received four first-team all-pro selections, and one second-team all-pro nod. One of those first-team all-pro choices occurred last year, when he recorded eight sacks and 71 total tackles in 17 regular season games. 

Before the 2024 season, Heyward inked a three-year, $45 million extension that would see him, in all likelihood, finish his career the way he started it—in black and gold. This was a generous payday for a guy coming off a season where he missed six games due to injury, amassed a mere two sacks in the eleven games he did play, and had already turned 35 years-old. 

Many were surprised and even upset by the contract extension after such a poor season, especially considering Heyward’s advanced age. I was one of the few people to defend it, and Cam backed me up with that 2024 season. 

Now, it has come out that he wants a revised contract after last season’s performance, with the defensive tackle stating that he would even be willing to sit out games to force the Steelers’ hand in negotiations. Cam claims that, when he signed his contract last offseason, he told the team, “when I have an all-pro season, I’ll see you back at the table” or something along those lines. 

I am not a contract expert, but that seems like something that should have been included in the terms of his deal. Regardless, Heyward has earned $131,582,735 from his NFL contracts, per Spotrac. That does not include any endorsements, etc. While he may be underpaid relative to his position on his current contract—he is the 22nd-highest paid defensive tackle in the NFL at the time of writing—it stands to wonder what difference an extra few million on top of the $131.5 million he has already earned would change in his life. 

I am all for players making what they deserve, but let us face it—the man is 36 years-old, and who knows how much he has left in the tank. Did he burn his entire tank last year with his great season? Is it worth throwing $10 million more at him when he already committed to a deal through 2026? 

What happened to players playing out their contracts? Is that not the entire point of the existence of contracts? Is keeping his brother, Connor—a pathetic excuse for an NFL player—on the active roster not payment enough? How much money does Cam need? Sure, the market changed, but if every player were to renegotiate whenever the market changed, it would be an infinitely-fluid situation. 

Suit up, 97. You have not won a playoff game since Obama was in office. Maybe come back to the negotiating table next year after you do not get gashed for 300 rushing yards in the wild card round.