Cameron Heyward sends warning to Steelers amid T.J. Watt trade rumors

Pittsburgh Steelers pass-rusher T.J. Watt has understandably become the subject of some interesting trade rumors because there's no indication he will receive a contract extension offer to his liking before he's due to report to training camp on July 23.

During a Wednesday appearance on "The Rich Eisen Show," longtime Steelers defensive lineman and team captain Cameron Heyward sent somewhat of a warning to general manager Omar Khan regarding Watt's status. 

"I'm going up to Omar and I'm telling him, 'That's not happening,'" Heyward said about Pittsburgh possibly trading Watt, as shared by Nick Shook of the NFL's website. "If there's even a trade that gets up there, I don't think it helps our team to trade a guy like that."

Heyward's take is understandable considering the win-now Steelers signed 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers to be their starting quarterback in June. Watt allegedly "wants to be the highest-paid edge-rusher" in the league for at least a period of time this summer, but it's unclear what type of extension the 30-year-old is seeking compared to the four-year, $160M deal that included $123.5M guaranteed that the Cleveland Browns gave Myles Garrett earlier this year. 

Regardless of how much guaranteed money Watt receives, 26-year-old Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons will almost certainly beat that extension. 

According to Jake Brockhoff of Steelers Depot, NFL insider Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports suggested on Wednesday that Pittsburgh and Watt won't come to an agreement before training camp gets underway next week. Heyward made it known he thinks Khan and Co. should do whatever is necessary to have a happy Watt practicing with his teammates before July comes to an end. 

"I want that dude to get paid what he deserves," Heyward added. "That dude is one of the most fierce and best players in our league and he's respected throughout the league. …I've had the best time being able to play with him, and I hope this year is not the last time we play together because that dude, that's my running mate. We've created a lot of havoc together, and I just want to see that guy continue to be a Pittsburgh Steeler and be a one-helmet guy."

The Steelers reportedly "have zero intention of trading" Watt, who has played only for the organization that made him a first-round draft pick in the spring of 2017. One wonders if Watt holding out through the start of training camp could cause Khan to take calls from other teams regarding the unsettled veteran who is looking to ink what likely will be the last big-money contract of his career.