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Steelers DL Cam Heyward gives revealing answer to question about NFL future

Meby: Nick Geddes01/21/26NickGeddesNews

The Pittsburgh Steelers have already seen head coach Mike Tomlin step down after 19 seasons on the job. You have to wonder what his resignation means for All-Pro defensive lineman Cam Heyward, who came to Pittsburgh in 2011 and has a strong relationship with Tomlin.

Heyward, 36, will turn 37 before the start of the 2026 NFL season. He’s the key cog along Pittsburgh’s interior defensive line and the most impactful player on the entire defensive unit. At some point this offseason, Heyward will decide if he wants to return for a 16th season. He’s not ready to make that call just yet, he said on his “Not Just Football” podcast.

“I’m laying low right now. I’ve been told don’t make any emotional decisions,” Heyward said. “I’m just shutting up and just letting the process take care of itself. I just need to breathe a little bit. It’s been a long season, and we’ll see. This isn’t something I’m going to rush, but I’ll be ready either way.”

Cam Heyward undecided about NFL future

Understandably, Heyward doesn’t want to make an emotional decision not that far removed from the Steelers’ 2025 season coming to an end. It will be a matter of if Heyward wants to keep playing, rather than can he still do it at a high level.

Heyward was one of the best defensive linemen in football this season. He compiled 78 tackles (38 solo), 3.5 sacks, six PBUs and one forced fumble. Heyward generated 50 pressures and was named a second-team All-Pro.

“That just shows his resiliency and his want-to and will to come out here and work at his age,” fellow defensive lineman Keeanu Benton recently said of Heyward. “I think he’s still got some more in the tank. He’s a heck of a player.

“That’s why you see me [chasing players downfield] now. Seeing him, even in practice, it starts in practice with him turning and running. You see it on film. The young guys see it on film. You just see people start to change.”

According to Spotrac, Heyward has one more year remaining on his contract with a $19.1 million cap hit. The Steelers, one would think, would happily welcome him back at that price.