Report: Steelers' Heyward will play Sunday after agreeing to revised deal
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward will play in the season opener after agreeing to a revised contract, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
The Steelers added $3 million in playoff incentives to Heyward's pact, allowing the veteran to earn up to $18 million in 2025, Rapoport adds. Heyward sat out of team drills in pursuit of a raise on his current deal and was prepared to miss regular-season games if the sides couldn't reach an agreement.
Heyward was set to make around $14.75-million this year, ranking as the 22nd-highest paid player at his position, according to Over The Cap.
"When I look at the market, and I look at what I've done, it's hard to really wrap my head around playing at a number where I'm not even half of what the rest of the market is," Heyward said in early August.
The 36-year-old earned first-team All-Pro honors last season, totaling 71 tackles, 20 quarterback hits, and eight sacks while suiting up in all 17 regular-season contests. Heyward has been with Pittsburgh since being drafted in the first round in 2011.
The Steelers face off against the New York Jets at 1 p.m. ET Sunday.