Steelers’ Cameron Heyward Breaks Silence on New Contract Incentives
Four-time first-team All-Pro defensive lineman Cameron Heyward declined to discuss his new contract incentives after the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the New York Jets. Heyward then didn’t address the topic on the September 10 episode of his podcast, “Not Just Football.”
But Heyward wasn’t going to be able to publicly avoid his reworked contract the entire season. The defensive lineman addressed the incentives added to his new deal in front of reporters Thursday.
“I’m only realizing how more I’m relieved because I’m sleeping a lot better; I’m glad to put that behind us,” Heyward said, via DK Pittsburgh Sports. “I’m glad I can just focus on football and go out there and earn it.”
The Steelers agreed to add $3.2 million in incentives to Heyward’s 2025 contract. TribLive.com’s Joe Rutter reported Thursday that Heyward will earn half of his incentives if he posts eight sacks, and the Steelers make the postseason.
Heyward will get the other half of his incentive should he register 11.5 sacks, and the Steelers win a playoff game.
If Heyward and the Steelers achieve both, he will make a little under $18 million for 2025. According to Spotrac, the defensive lineman will receive $14.75 million in cash for this season.
Steelers & Cameron Heyward Reached Contract Compromise
The defensive lineman received the opportunity for additional pay in 2025. He will get the chance to make more money despite the Steelers usual team policy of not addressing contracts that have more than two years remaining.
But while those were wins for Heyward, he will potentially give up something too.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reported if Heyward doesn’t play more than 30 percent of Pittsburgh’s defensive snaps in 2025, his roster bonus will drop to $875,000.
That’s a big risk for Heyward. His 2026 roster bonus before the restructured deal was set to be $12.95 million. But the new term will protect the Steelers if the 36-year-old suffers a serious injury.
While a great risk, Heyward appears to see it as part of NFL negotiations.
“It has to be a compromise on both sides,” Heyward told reporters. “I understand they don’t normally do it (new deals with two years left). All I’m asking is for an opportunity to go out and earn it.”
Heyward Motivated to Win Super Bowl, Not to Reach Incentives
NFL teams often include incentives in contracts to provide players extra motivation. But Heyward portrayed the notion that his drive to play well and win couldn’t be any higher.
“It doesn’t motivate me any more (than before),” Heyward added. “The goal is not to just win a playoff game, it’s to win a Super Bowl. This is more icing on the cake.”
Heyward and his family will undoubtably enjoy the extra $3.2 million if the defensive lineman earns it. But as the saying goes, money comes and goes.
With five All-Pro nominations and seven Pro Bowls, Heyward has cemented himself as one of the best defensive linemen in team history. But he’s missing playoff success on his resume.
A Super Bowl is the last accomplishment Heyward has left to achieve to truly cement his Steelers legacy.
Buccaneers Get ‘Very Good Sign’ on Chris Godwin’s Progress
Chris Godwin has returned to practice for the Buccaneers as he works his way back from an ankle injury
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers opened the 2025 campaign with a tightly contested 23-20 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. While there were some concerns that emerged from this game for the Bucs, a win is a win at the end of the day, and they will be pleased to have taken down their top competition in the NFC South to open the new season.
Making this win even sweeter is the fact that the Buccaneers were not at full health, even though this was their first game of the season. One key player who was not on the field for this game was star wide receiver Chris Godwin, but based on his latest injury update, he’s taken a big step towards making his return to the field for Tampa Bay.
Chris Godwin Returns to Practice for the Buccaneers
Good news for the #Bucs: Star WR Chris Godwin is expected to practice today for the first time and he’ll be limited. Part of his return to play process, but a very good sign. pic.twitter.com/YBq4HEFGt1
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 11, 2025
Alongside Mike Evans, Godwin has become a key piece of Tampa Bay’s offense over the past couple of seasons. The big issue for Godwin, though, has been staying on the field, as he’s suffered a couple of severe injuries throughout his career, the most recent being a gruesome dislocated ankle that cut his 2024 campaign short.
Prior to going down in Week 7, Godwin was on pace to put together the most productive season of his career, as he had 50 receptions for 576 yards and five touchdowns in just seven games played. The Buccaneers struggled to truly replace him on offense, and while they made it to the playoffs, they quickly bowed out in the wild card round after losing to the Washington Commanders.
Since suffering this injury, Godwin has been working hard to get himself back to full health, and while he isn’t there yet, he appears to be closing in on a return to action. On Thursday, Godwin took a big step forward as he practiced with the Buccaneers for the first time this season, indicating that he is on the right track in his injury rehab.
“Good news for the Bucs: Star WR Chris Godwin is expected to practice today for the first time and he’ll be limited. Part of his return to play process, but a very good sign,” Ian Rapoport of NFL Network shared in a post on X.
When is Chris Godwin Expected to Return to Action for the Buccaneers?
Godwin wasn’t expected to be ready for the start of the 2025 campaign, but when the Buccaneers activated him from the Physically Unable to Perform list ahead of Week 1, that led some folks to believe he could be ready to return sooner rather than later. Despite that, Godwin is reportedly aiming to return by Week 5, but the team won’t push him to go if he isn’t ready by then.
With the finish line for his injury rehab in his sights now, you can bet Godwin is going to continue putting in the work necessary to get himself ready for his return. However, it won’t be coming in Week 2, even as he returns to practice, so Tampa Bay will have to find a way to take down the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football without one of its top players at its disposal.
