Cameron Heyward didn’t want his contract to remain unsettled until the eve of the Pittsburgh Steelers season opener. But he’s happy to have negotiations in the rearview mirror.
“I only realized how I’m more relieved because I’m sleeping a lot better,” Heyward said Thursday, speaking publicly about his contract for the first time since a deal was struck late Saturday night, less than 18 hours before the Steelers defeated the New York Jets, 34-32.
“I’m glad to put that behind us. Glad I can just focus on football. Now, go out there and earn it.”
The sweetener added to Heyward’s contract features a chance to earn $3.2 million in incentives. He gets half the amount if he reaches eight sacks and the Steelers make the playoffs. He gets the other half if he records 11 1/2 sacks and the Steelers win a playoff game.
Pro Football Talk reported details of Heyward’s contract and added that his roster bonus in 2026 will be reduced from $12.95 million to $875,000 if he doesn’t play at least 30% of all defensive snaps this season. That provision protects the Steelers against a serious injury to Heyward.
The Steelers cease negotiations once the season begins, and they historically don’t renegotiate contracts when two years are remaining on a deal, which is what Heyward had left.
“It has to be a compromise on both sides,” Heyward said. “I understand they don’t normally do it. All I’m asking for is an opportunity to go out and earn it.”
Heyward had three tackles and played 67% of the defensive snaps in the Steelers’ season-opening win. He is hoping it is a sign of things to come for a franchise that hasn’t won a playoff game since after the 2016 season.
“It doesn’t motivate me any more (than before),” he said. “The goal is not to win a playoff game, it’s to win a Super Bowl. This is more icing on the cake.”
