Cameron Heyward signaled a readiness to miss regular-season games if needed as he pursues a contract renegotiation on the Steelers’ 2024 extension. The hold-in elevates the drama ahead of Week 1 against the New York Jets, with Heyward stressing he values what he brings to Pittsburgh and wants it reflected financially while he stays focused on football.

His two-year, $29 million deal runs through 2026, with a $14.75 million 2025 total including a $13.45 million guaranteed roster bonus and a non-guaranteed path beyond this season. He muscled through a Pro/PF All-Pro year in 2024—17 games, eight sacks, 20 QB hits, 71 tackles, and 11 passes defended—using it as motivation to push for market-reflective value rather than a punitive pay cut.

The Steelers remains in talks with GM Omar Khan, team president Art Rooney II and coach Mike Tomlin as Heyward contemplates options like converting next year’s bonus into guarantees or creating tiered guarantees. The market for interior disruptors is sharp: Chris Jones tops at about $31.75 million per year with $95 million guaranteed, while Zach Allen’s four-year, $102 million pact with Denver carries $69.5 million guaranteed and an average of $25.5 million. Heyward’s stance reflects both pride in performance and a strategic leverage earned by a standout 2024 season.

Ultimately, the hold-in underscores Heyward’s desire to be valued fairly while preserving Steelers’ respect and a practical path to extension. He continues conversations with Khan, Rooney II and Tomlin as Pittsburgh eyes Week 1 against the Jets and gauges leverage against a tight-wide interior-DL market.

Denver’s contract wave locks Courtland Sutton and Zach Allen into the long-term plan, with Nik Bonitto likely next in line for an extension. The Broncos also have John Franklin-Myers and Malcolm Roach on the 2026 free-agent radar, highlighting a mini-crisis of cost versus continuity in Denver’s front seven. Roach’s candid take—“I’m employee 97… the money’s going to take care of itself”—weights the business side of the NFL against on-field production as the team aims to repeat a strong 2025 showing and maximize the value of its core in 2026.

Roach’s blunt honesty underscores a broader reality: extensions today shape the 2026 landscape, and the Broncos are balancing present competitiveness with future cap implications. Last season, Roach delivered 43 tackles, eight QB hits, and 2.5 sacks as a rotational lineman, a footprint Denver hopes to expand in 2025 before the payday clock ticks again in 2026—whether in Denver or elsewhere. Sutton and Allen’s agreements solidify a high-floor offense and a disruptive defensive line as the team eyes another run at the league’s upper tier.

Beyond Sutton and Allen, the mix of younger edge and interior linemen—Bonitto, Franklin-Myers, and Roach—signals Denver’s blueprint: sustain pressure, protect the quarterback, and keep the offense equipped with reliable weapons. The Saints’ previous flirtation with Roach is a reminder of the market’s reality. As the 2025 campaign unfolds, the Broncos’ ability to translate on-field success into 2026 extensions will define their ceiling for fantasy managers and bettors alike.

The Denver Broncos have recently revised their salary cap situation following extensions for wide receiver Courtland Sutton and defensive lineman Zach Allen. The team entered training camp with over $12.5 million in cap space but now has just over $5.5 million remaining after making several roster adjustments. Allen's cap hit for the season is set at $14.345 million, with a staggering increase to $28.625 million in 2026, while Sutton's charge will rise slightly to $13.975 million next year.

Currently, Allen and Sutton stand as the third and fourth highest cap hits on the team, trailing only guard Ben Powers and right tackle Mike McGlinchey. Notably, the Broncos have several players poised to be bargain contracts this season, including running back J.K. Dobbins and safety Talanoa Hufanga, both of whom provide significant value relative to their cap figures. The Broncos may also target extensions for additional players like outside linebacker Nik Bonitto as they navigate their salary cap strategy moving forward.

The Denver Broncos have recently focused on securing key players, with wide receiver Courtland Sutton receiving a four-year contract extension. As the team approaches the 2026 season, they need to consider the futures of several other prominent players. Defensive lineman Zach Allen and pass rusher Nik Bonitto are both entering the final years of their contracts, raising questions about their potential extensions. Additionally, defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers, who has also been productive, is in a similar situation. These decisions will significantly shape the team’s roster moving forward.

With Sutton's extension seemingly setting a precedent, the Broncos face crucial negotiations with Allen, Bonitto, and Franklin-Myers. Their performances in the upcoming season will undoubtedly influence the team's approach to contract discussions. Allen, known for his disruptive presence on the defensive line, and Bonitto, with his pass-rushing capabilities, contribute significantly to the Broncos' defensive scheme. Meanwhile, Franklin-Myers has proven to be a reliable asset. How the Broncos manage these players could have lasting implications for their championship aspirations.