There is concern surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers fanbase that Cam Heyward may elect to sit out early in the season. The long-time defensive lineman and 2024 First-Team All-Pro has been vocal bout getting a pay raise after exceeding all expectations last season.
That raise hasn't come, and it might not. When his co-host of the Not Just Football Podcast asked Heyward if he would suit up to play against the Jets, Heyward responded with, 'We'll see.' This doesn't instill much confidence in the Steelers fanbase.
But Mike Tomlin isn't buying it.
The Steelers head coach quickly put any concerns to rest when he spoke to the media on Tuesday ahead of Pittsburgh's Week 1 road matchup against the New York Jets.
"I'm certainly expecting Cam [Heyward] to play," Tomlin told the media, via 93.7 The Fan. "Cam doesn't play a lot in team development over the last several years. My job is to get him in and out of Latrobe, and I've done my job. And so there are no reservations about his participation or readiness. I'm sure he's chomping at the bit."
Pittsburgh Steelers fans can be confident Cam Heyward will play in Week 1 against the New York Jets
With rookie defensive lineman Derrick Harmon already ruled out of the Steelers' Week 1 contest, the last thing the team needs is for Cameron Heyward to bail on them in the final hour before their season opener. But Tomlin's comments are just one reason why we can be sure this won't happen.
Heyward has reportedly been practicing with the team all week—something he likely doesn't do if he has his heart set on holding out for a re-worked contract to begin the season. The 14-year vet was also recently named a team captain by his teammates. (Talk about a bad look for Cam if he doesn't show up for Week 1 after that.)
Because Heyward inked a two-year extension last year, there's simply nothing he can do about his situation. The Steelers may elect to step in and throw him a bone with a pay raise, but they aren't obligated to do so. Heyward either plays or risks losing game checks and being subject to fines (and at 36 years old, he's not going to want to miss out on money coming his way).
Mike Tomlin's comments left no room for doubt—Cam Heyward will be suiting up for the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1.