Steelers superstar's availability remains uncertain for Week 1 showdown vs. Jets

The Pittsburgh Steelers are less than a week away from their season-opener against the New York Jets, and they still do not know if they will have starting defensive tackle Cam Heyward in the lineup when the ball kicks off.

Nothing that was said on Tuesday seemed to help settle the question, either.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said at his weekly news conference that he is expecting Heyward to be in the lineup following an extended hold-in during training camp. 

But when Heyward was asked whether or not he will be on the field during his weekly podcast, he simply responded with "we'll see."

That is something of a mixed message.

Heyward has been unhappy with his contract — one that he signed exactly one year ago — and has been trying to get more money for the 2025 season that will bring him up closer to the highest-paid defensive tackles in the NFL. The Steelers, however, have not been willing to budge.

That resulted in Heyward sitting out of team activities at camp and not playing in any of the team's preseason games. The question now becomes whether or not he will sit out real games. 

While there remains no firm answer on that, he has since returned to team practices and seems to be gearing up to be ready for game action. But until he is in uniform and on the field against the Jets, there is going to be some mystery and intrigue around his intentions and plan.

Whether it comes via a new contract or Heyward giving in, the Steelers certainly need him in the lineup — especially against a run-heavy Jets offense.

Not only is Heyward one of the Steelers' best defensive players, but he remains one of the best defensive lineman in the league and somebody who can just simply replace.

Fixing the defensive line was a big priority this offseason for the Steelers, and they did that by selecting two defensive lineman in the 2025 NFL Draft: first-round pick Derrick Harmon and fifth-round pick Yahya Black. 

Harmon figured to be a starter but was injured in the preseason and has already been ruled out for Week 1. That could force Black into a bigger role than anticipated early on. 

If Heyward does not play in addition to Harmon's injury, that would create some major problems for the defensive line and the defense as a whole.