On Saturday, the Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to a new deal with defensive lineman Cameron Heyward ahead of their Week 1 contest against the New York Jets on Sunday Night.
Per the NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Pittsburgh did the right thing by giving Heyward a chance to gain extra cash if the team does well in the postseason.
"The Steelers did right by their All-Pro, agreeing to sweeten DL Cam Heyward’s contract for 2025, per The Insiders," Rapoport posted on X. "He gets more than $3M in incentives tied to playoffs and playoff wins for $18M max in a deal done by Michael Perrett of @PrioritySports. Oh & Heyward will play."
The #Steelers did right by their All-Pro, agreeing to sweeten DL Cam Heyward’s contract for 2025, per The Insiders.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 7, 2025
He gets more than $3M in incentives tied to playoffs and playoff wins for $18M max in a deal done by Michael Perrett of @PrioritySports. Oh & Heyward will play. pic.twitter.com/RZGA0ZHGCa
Heyward was a hold-in during training camp, a season after he signed a three-year contract extension worth $45 million. He wanted more money after having an eight-sack season and earning All-Pro honors.
Steelers beat reporter Mark Kaboly was perplexed by the terms of the new deal, questioning why it took seven months for $3 million in incentives.
"$3 million in incentives? I'd imagine those are likely to be earned," Kaboly posted on X. "$3M sweetener and it took 7 months?"
$3 million in incentives? I'd imagine those are likely to be earned. $3M sweetener and it took 7 months? pic.twitter.com/X67IXY1wuT
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) September 7, 2025
Many of the replies to Kaboly's post weren't in favor of Heyward winning the hold-in.
The Steelers made a slight concession, but it was enough for Heyward to end his hold-in and play during the regular season. It also allows for Heyward to save face by getting a chance for something, as the 36-year-old's hold-in and threat to miss Week 1 rubbed Pittsburgh fans the wrong way.
Kaboly is right, the juice doesn't appear to be worth the squeeze. The Steelers and Heyward lost valuable practice time for incentives that the defensive lineman might not earn if the team doesn't play meaningful football in January.
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