The Pittsburgh Steelers added 10 new draft picks and undrafted free agents to their roster over the weekend. But one player they secured earlier in the offseason on a new contract was veteran defensive lineman Cameron Heyward.
In March, the Steelers and Heyward agreed to a revised contract — a new two-year, $32.25 million deal. The first year will be fully guaranteed.
The agreement came on the heels of a contract standoff with the All-Pro lineman, where Heyward performing a “hold-in” during training camp and threatened to miss regular season games.
Heyward and the Steelers won’t be dealing with those kinds of issues this season. The defensive lineman explained to reporters at the 2026 NFL Draft that that’s a significant positive.
“I’m glad I don’t have to worry about that,” he told Steelers Now before the first round Thursday. “I’m glad I just get to focus on trying to be a better player, be a better teammate.
“It’s a weight off my shoulders. Now, I’ve just got to go out there and prove it.”
Heyward posted 78 combined tackles, including nine tackles for loss with nine quarterback hits last season. He also had 3.5 sacks with six pass defenses and a forced fumble while making second-team All-Pro.
Cameron Heyward Back With Steelers on New Contract
The defensive lineman signed his fresh deal with the Steelers early in NFL free agency. The deal added guaranteed value to Heyward’s contract. It also helped the Steelers create $5.5 million in cap space.
So, it was a win-win for both sides.
With Heyward front and center at the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh last week, the defensive lineman again expressed his pleasure with getting the deal done early this offseason. Last year, Heyward didn’t get a revised contract until just before Week 1.
It also wasn’t much of a contract revision from Heyward’s perspective. The defensive lineman received incentives in his deal, but more than likely, none of them were reached.
Heyward is guaranteed to have a larger take-home pay in 2026.
After speaking to Steelers Now on Thursday, Heyward was very visible at the 2026 NFL Draft on Friday. He was one of the hosts on stage and announced multiple picks for the Steelers.
Steelers 2026 Salary Cap Situation
With the new contract, Heyward will have a $13.675 million cap hit in 2026. That ranks sixth on the team, including fifth on the Pittsburgh defense.
Heyward’s cap hit will balloon to more than $23 million for 2027. But this year, he will likely give the Steelers great value.
Heyward has made the All-Pro team six times in his career. He’s earned all of those nominations since turning 28 in 2017.
In 2024, he had 12 tackles for loss, 20 quarterback hits, eight sacks and 11 pass defenses while making first-team All-Pro.
During the 2026 season, edge rushers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith will each have a cap hit exceeding $20 million. At $42 million, Watt has one of the highest cap hits in the league.
After the 2026 NFL Draft, the Steelers are ranked ninth in cap space at $28.74 million according to Spotrac. However, the team is still trying to re-sign quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
If he elects to return, the signal-caller is likely to cut into a majority of that remaining space.
Steelers’ Cameron Heyward Sends Message on New Contract Amid NFL Offseason