These Cam Heyward Comments May Make Steelers Fans Nervous

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward is entering the final year of his deal, which has created a rather sticky situation for the veteran with organized team activities on the horizon.

On a recent episode of his Not Just Football podcast , Heyward outlined his strategy, stating that he won’t be present at OTAs this time around.

“I have always attended these, but at this time, it’s just contract negotiations,” Heyward said. “You know, I want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler, but we’ll see what happens.”

Heyward has spent his entire NFL career with the Steelers.

The 35-year-old, who played his collegiate football at Ohio State, was selected by Pittsburgh with the 31st overall pick of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Heyward also wants to make sure everyone knows that his plan is not out of the ordinary.

“First of all, it’s voluntary, let’s get that straight,” Heyward said of OTAs. “I’m working out, I’m doing everything but [going to OTAs].”

The Steelers’ organized team activities will begin next Tuesday and go through June 6. The mandatory minicamp then begins on June 11. If Heyward misses that, too, then Pittsburgh will have a bigger problem on its hands.

Even though the OTAs are voluntary, the fact that Heyward is currently embroiled in a bit of a contract squabble with the Steelers can’t exactly make Pittsburgh fans feel comfortable.

The Pittsburgh native has been a staple along the Steelers’ defensive front since 2011 and made six straight trips to the Pro Bowl between 2017 and 2022. He also earned three First-Team All-Pro selections throughout that span. Had it not been for injuries limiting him to just 11 games in 2023, Heyward may very well have made his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl appearance.

“You’ve got to do what’s right for you,” Heyward said. “I’m training hard. It’s nothing I’m not doing on and off the field. I’m doing everything possible. We’ll get there when we get there.”

Hopefully, for all parties involved, Cam Heyward and the Steelers are able to work something out.

Pittsburgh went 10-7 this past season, losing to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs. The Steelers will begin their 2024 regular season on the road against the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 8.

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