Pittsburgh Steelers disliked wide receiver Chad Johnson while he starred with the Cincinnati Bengals for more than a decade. But a lot of Steelers fans are likely to agree with Johnson’s latest NFL hot take on defensive lineman Cameron Heyward.
On the latest episode of the Nightcap podcast, Johnson strongly argued the Steelers aren’t going to budge on Heyward’s contract this offseason.
“I’m gonna tell you how the Rooneys thinking. I’m gonna tell you what [Mike] Tomlin’s thinking,” Johnson told his co-host and former NFL tight end Shannon Sharpe. “How old is Cam Heyward?
“They’re not doing it, they’re not doing it, they’re not doing it …. 36 [years old], come on now.”
Heyward appeared to be approaching the end of his career after he struggled with a groin injury during the 2023 season. The Steelers asked him to take a pay cut so he could remain with the team in 2024.
The defensive lineman accepted the pay cut and also received a contract extension.
While Heyward is still near the end of his career at 36 years old, he just experienced arguably his best NFL campaign at 35 in 2024. With that in mind, he’s asked for a pay raise this offseason.
Not many players play until 36, let alone make the All-Pro team at that age. For what it’s worth, Johnson retired before turning 34.
Cameron Heyward Not Practicing, Demanding New Contract
Heyward told reporters Monday that he first contacted the Steelers about a new deal in February. The defensive lineman’s contract didn’t become a storyline until August, but it’s become one of the significant focal points around the team this preseason.
Heyward finally addressed the situation publicly Monday.
“I’m looking for my contract to be addressed,” he said, via The Pittsburgh Tribune Review’s Chris Adamaski. “When I look around, at my position, I’m like 22nd as a D-tackle, I’m 36th as a D-lineman. I know what I bring to this team and what I’m capable of on and off the field.
“It’s hard for me, after the year that I had, to really justify playing at the number I’m playing at,” Heyward added. “I understand I signed a contract last year. But to be completely honest with you, when I signed that, I told them, ‘When I have an All-Pro year, expect me to come back …
“I think everybody kind of giggled a little bit. But in my head, I used it as motivation to go out there and prove it.”
The extension Heyward received last offseason was worth $29 million over two seasons. In 2025, he will have a cap hit of $19.65 million. But his base salary is only $1.3 million.
Head coach Mike Tomlin and defensive coordinator Teryl Austin have both expressed confidence that Heyward will be ready for the regular season. However, Heyward is not participating in team drills, as he aims for a new deal.
The TribLive’s Joe Rutter reported Heyward said he “is prepared to sit out” regular season games if he doesn’t get the contract value he wants.
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