Cameron Heyward and Chris Boswell Seek Contract Adjustments
On Thursday, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward and kicker Chris Boswell made headlines as they reportedly want their contracts addressed before the 2025 season kicks off. While this may seem unexpected, it really isn’t, as both players have strong cases for salary increases. The Steelers have the opportunity to resolve these matters within the next four weeks.
Chris Boswell’s Contract Situation
Let’s dive into Boswell’s situation first. I won’t elaborate on his contract aspirations, as I’ve covered that in detail before. Currently, Boswell is set to earn just $3.12 million in 2025, making him significantly underpaid for his role. Although he has two years left on his current deal, the Steelers could easily accommodate him by advancing a portion of his 2026 salary into 2025, and he likely deserves even more cash on top of that.
The Need for Boswell’s Pay Raise
Elevating Boswell to the status of the highest-paid kicker in the NFL for the 2025 season should be a straightforward task, and there are expectations that this will happen before Week 1. While his cap charge may rise with an increase in salary, the change should not be too substantial, considering Boswell’s performance as arguably the best kicker in the league.
Cameron Heyward’s Contract Challenges
Now, regarding Heyward, there appears to be some confusion among fans and media regarding his request for a contract adjustment. It’s essential to clarify that while he signed a two-year extension last September, it was largely a restructuring of his existing deal. Heyward was initially slated to earn $16 million, and the restructuring merely converted a significant portion into a signing bonus, adding two non-guaranteed years to his agreement.
Heyward’s Financial Situation
As we enter the 2025 season, Heyward is set to earn only $14.75 million, having not secured any additional cash last year, making him underpaid compared to his peers. His target should be at least matching Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner’s projected $23 million cash earnings in 2025. At minimum, Heyward should aim to surpass Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams’ $20.85 million. Given his current contract, he is noticeably under compensated.
Potential Adjustments for Heyward
Heyward’s next roster bonus in March 2026 is currently not fully guaranteed. If the Steelers were to convert half of that bonus into a signing bonus this summer, his 2025 cash total could increase to $21.225 million. This would be competitive with other top defensive tackles, and the Steelers could manage the slight increase to their salary cap effectively.
Looking Ahead
After training camp and preseason end is an optimal time for the Steelers to address contract adjustments for both Boswell and Heyward. It’s likely that both players will receive raises for the 2025 season, with similar resolutions possibly occurring for their 2026 contracts, subject to their performance. For now, fans should rest easy—Heyward and Boswell are expected to be ready for the 2025 season with enhanced contracts.
