Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle and team captain Cameron Heyward was not in uniform and did not practice on Thursday as contract negotiations with the team remain unresolved.
NFL insider Adam Schefter tweeted:
"Steelers team captain Cam Heyward, who has wanted his contract adjusted this summer, was not in uniform today with the rest of the team and didn't appear to practice."
Heyward, who signed a two-year, $29 million extension last September, has been pushing for adjustments this summer after a league-wide rise in defensive tackle salaries. His current $13.25 million salary for 2025 is reportedly about half of what the top players at his position are earning.
The Steelers open their season on Sunday against the New York Jets. Coach Mike Tomlin would like to have the team captain on the field for the opener, but the odds seem slim. In August, Heyward hinted he might miss regular-season games if it helps him secure a favorable contract renegotiation.
"There are definitely options out there that could reflect that," Heyward said.
He added, "My goal is to be out here, and I don't know what's going to happen. I've had to be honest with myself to be ready for every option. And has it gone the way I wanted to go? No. If it did, I would be out there playing and practicing, but I'd like to put this in the rearview mirror and worry about ball and worry about [the] New York Jets [in] Week 1."
The situation remains fluid, with anything possible at this point. However, Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin's comments on Thursday may offer some reassurance to the fans.
Steelers reporter Joe Rutter tweeted:
"Teryl Austin on expectations of Cam Heyward playing Sunday vs. Jets: 'He's practicing so I’m anticipating him playing.' ... He said Heyward is getting the same kind of work as in previous run-ups to the season opener."
Heyward wants to be "valued." The Steelers can't afford to keep a star player like him sidelined for long. Hopefully, a happy ending to these negotiations is just around the corner.