Cameron Heyward explains plans to skip Steelers OTAs amid ongoing contract negotiations

Long-time Steelers tackle and defensive captain Cam Heyward does not plan to attend OTAs when they start next week.

There had been much speculation as to whether the 35-year-old would be attending the practice sessions. Now we know.

“I have always attended these, but at this time, it’s just contract negotiations,” Heyward said on his Not Just Football podcast, which dropped Thursday. “Ya know, I want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler, but we’ll see what happens.”

Heyward added that he’s still working out, “doing everything.”

Heyward has played for the Steelers since Pittsburgh selected the former Ohio State star in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

The big, popular tackle is in his final season with the Steelers. He’s set to earn $22 million. But if the team cuts him, Pittsburgh would safe $16 million. But would the Steelers waive the reigning NFL Man of the Year?

He’s indicated that he would like to play two or three more years. And of course, he also wants to stick with the Steelers.

Heyward has one year remaining on his contract. He costs $22 million against the salary cap. The Steelers can save $16 million in cap money by cutting him. The reigning Walter Payton Man of the Year has said that he wants to play two to three more years and that he has spoken with the Steelers about an extension.

Last weekend, Heyward acknowledged that sides are talking about a contract extension.“ We’ll see what happens,” he told Steelers Now. “My goal is to play two to three more years. Mostly three. I’m looking for an opportunity. We’ll see what happens. I’d like it to be here, but my goal is to play. So we’ll see.”

The Steelers are under a tight salary cap. The team may want to rework Heyward’s deal so they could free up money for a run at a free-agent wide receiver.

However, we’re not sure if Heyward would take a pay cut,

“I bust my butt in rehab, doing everything,” Heyward said on his podcast in January. “I got to let things calm down. Screw the people who keep talking about me getting a pay cut.”