Steelers’ Mike Tomlin on Cam Heyward’s absence: ‘It’s probably an easier day for me with him not being here’
When Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported that Cam Heyward would be sitting out OTAs in a leveraged effort to earn a contract extension, it was met with some surprise. Having never missed the sessions, (albeit voluntary) not having the longstanding captain is certainly a different feeling for the majority of the tenured players, coaches, and […]
When Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported that Cam Heyward would be sitting out OTAs in a leveraged effort to earn a contract extension, it was met with some surprise.
Having never missed the sessions, (albeit voluntary) not having the longstanding captain is certainly a different feeling for the majority of the tenured players, coaches, and personnel members in Pittsburgh.
But for Mike Tomlin, Heyward's absence is actually a sigh of relief:
Tomlin Unbothered by Heyward's Absence
"I'm not overly concerned, to be quite honest with you," Coach Tomlin told reporters on Tuesday when asked about Heyward's absence from OTAs. "Cam's a guy with over 10,000-plus career snaps. It's probably an easier day for me with him not being here. I get to thin the lines out to get to know some people that I know less than him. Obviously, I know Cam very well. We've shared a lot of experiences over the years. But he and I talk often. As a matter of fact, we talked twice yesterday, but that's not an irregular thing. That's what we always do. We talk about not only where he is and what's going on with him, but where this team is, because as a leader, he needs information in that regard."
A glass half full approach by Coach T, on the surface he is 100% correct. Approaching his age 35 season, Heyward is probably the last Pittsburgh Steeler who needs work at organized team activities.
He has noted that he's staying in shape and will be ready to go when called upon, something QB Russell Wilson even touched on:
"Listen, I've been able to play in the league a long time, Wilson told reporters when asked about Heyward missing OTAs. "And the reality is, is that if anybody's prepared, Cam Heyward's prepared. This guy's one of the best to ever do it at his position. He's a guy that's experienced. I mean, you take all of that experience and everything else, plus the family dynamics and just the whole process, it's a business. Everybody knows that and everybody goes through it, and it's a process. But if anybody's been here, even though he's not physically here, he's here in spirit every day with us. And that's what we love about him. And so we're gonna support him no matter what. He's gonna be ready to go. We know that about him. I know that about him playing against him and I'm excited to get him back on the field whenever that time's right."
But the subject that Coach T didn't broach was the whole reason that Heyward isn't there to begin with…
His contract.
Approaching the final year of his deal, Pittsburgh didn't ask Heyward to take a cut on his hefty $22.4 million cap hit, but they obviously aren't too keen on signing him to the two to three-year extension that he wants, or at least not at the number he wishes.
So for now, there is no concern. The deadline to watch is mandatory minicamp, which is a little under three weeks away from June 11th through the 13th.
If Heyward sits that out, then Pittsburgh may have an issue on their hands.
Pittsburgh Steelers expected to be named host city of 2026 NFL Draft, ‘strong sense they will be awarded’
After months of sitting on eggshells, it appears we are mere hours away from confirmation that the Pittsburgh Steelers will be hosting the 2026 NFL Draft. Per Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, there is a high degree of likelihood that Pittsburgh will be named the host city later today at the league meetings: Burgh Goes […]
