Cam Heyward skipped his scheduled media availability session Thursday morning. He also skipped practice, which isn’t as unusual considering his age and status on the Pittsburgh Steelers roster.
His defensive coordinator, though, doesn’t plan on Heyward skipping the Steelers’ season opener Sunday against the New York Jets.
Heyward continues to be silent regarding his playing status for the opener because of his desire for a new contract. And his presence on the sideline wearing a hoodie while his teammates practiced Thursday added another subplot to the Heyward contract saga.
Teryl Austin offered little insight Thursday other than to say he believes the four-time, first-team All-Pro defensive tackle will be on the field Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
“Absolutely,” Austin said. “He’s been practicing, so I’m anticipating him playing.”
Except Heyward didn’t practice Thursday, his absence occurring about two hours after Austin spoke with reporters. The official practice report listed Heyward as “resting vet.” Heyward, 36, has gotten a day off during the practice week in recent seasons, and the rest benefited him enough last year that he became a first-team All-Pro defensive tackle for the fourth time in his career.
Heyward received a veteran day off in the run-up to the 2022 and 2023 season openers. Last year, however, he practiced every day during the preparation for Week 1.
“He’s our leader, and I’m confident he’s going to play,” outside linebacker Alex Highsmith said. “He’s an All-Pro guy for us. I’m confident he’s going to play. We all know what type of player he is and what he means to our defense.”
Heyward hasn’t spoken with reporters since Aug. 11, the day after it was reported that he was “holding in” as a tactic to receiving a reworked contract. He is entering the second season of a three-year, $45 million deal he signed in 2024. Heyward already has received a $13.45 million signing bonus this season to offset his $1.3 million salary.
Heyward is looking for his contract to be adjusted, although the Steelers have a history of not negotiating deals unless a player has one year left on his deal. Heyward has two.
Players are expected to be available for interviews daily and are required to speak once per week. Heyward historically has met with the media on Thursday mornings of practice weeks. A team public relations member said Heyward would not be speaking Thursday but that Friday remained a possibility.
Heyward has done his talking mostly through his podcast. On Tuesday, he cryptically said “we’ll see” when he was asked whether he intends to play against the Jets.
“And that’s what he says,” Austin said when pressed on Heyward’s stance. “I just know what I see. He’s out there practicing, so I’m anticipating him playing.”
Austin said Heyward has been taking the same amount of practice reps as in previous years when the Steelers prepared to open the season.
Heyward didn’t participate in team portions of practice for much of training camp, but he increased his participation once the Steelers returned to UPMC Rooney Sports Complex several weeks ago.
Highsmith said the Heyward contract talk hasn’t been a distraction to the defense.
“He’s been out there practicing with us, getting reps as well,” he said.
Heyward did not play in the preseason, but coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday he also expects the Steelers’ longest-tenured player, one who was voted a team captain for the 11th consecutive season, to play against the Jets.
“My job is to get him in and out of Latrobe, and I’ve done my job,” Tomlin said. “There are no reservations about his participation or readiness.”
