Mark Madden: Cam Heyward's hold-in might be over, but his image took a hit

Chris Boswell ending his hold-in without a fuss is understandable. He’s only a kicker.

But Cam Heyward suddenly participating in team drills on Tuesday was a bit surprising given previous harsh words and Heyward’s mastery of the hold-in genre.

Heyward likely caved for two reasons:

• He was becoming the clear-cut bad guy in the eyes of the citizens. Heyward wants to be liked. Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, community service, blah, blah, blah.

• Heyward realized — or was strongly told — that the Steelers weren’t going to budge off their organizational policy of not renegotiating contracts that have over a year remaining. That’s a good guideline. You’d otherwise be reworking deals constantly.

Heyward wasn’t wronged even a little bit in this skirmish.

Heyward had already received a $13.45 million roster bonus in March. He was withholding work already paid for.

Heyward declined to bet on himself a year ago when he signed what he later deemed to be an inferior extension.

Sure, he outperformed the contract. But NFL deals don’t come with autocorrect. (I love that line and will shoehorn it in whenever possible.)

So, too bad for Heyward. (I’m also underpaid. I bet you feel like you are, too.)

Heyward was barely back participating in team drills before T.J. Watt was proclaiming to the media that Heyward should get paid more.

The Steelers need to shut up and win a playoff game.

I’d settle for them just shutting up.

When Watt got his new deal, the Steelers seemed to have dodged preseason turmoil. Until Heyward and Boswell unexpectedly got the boo-boo face.

The Steelers are unlikeable. Unless you like them no matter what.

Am I crazy if my favorite Steeler is Aaron Rodgers?

Like Heyward, I had a preconceived notion about Rodgers that has turned out to not be true. (So far.)

Rodgers has said and done all the right things since signing.

Rodgers was a guest on Heyward’s podcast. Heyward didn’t talk to the media Tuesday but always finds time to do his podcast.

Rodgers put Heyward in his place firmly but fairly when Heyward apologized for a podcast rant that was aimed at Rodgers during the quarterback’s period of career indecision: “Either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don’t.”

“It hurt,” Rodgers said. “You didn’t reach out. You just wanted to make a statement to the media.”

It was lighthearted. But if Rodgers was kidding, it was on the square.

Perhaps there’s a new sheriff in town.

Not sure if there’s a point to Heyward and Rodgers sorting out their difference in public. But Heyward loves that podcast. (I’ve listened. Don’t quit the day job, darling.)

Heyward’s podcast either changed him or revealed him. He doesn’t seem the same guy. Much less likeable. Maybe it’s because the end of the trail is in sight.

Heyward’s hold-in is over.

Unless he has a very good year, it wouldn’t be shocking if the Steelers didn’t bring him back in 2026.

Heyward is 36. The Steelers just drafted two very good defensive linemen.

It feels like a receipt that comes due.