Cameron Heyward returned to Pittsburgh’s practice field, but the hold-in isn’t over. With two years left on his current deal, Heyward is pushing for an amended contract that reflects the evolving defensive line market after a flurry of big offseason signings. He posted a standout All-Pro season in the first year of this deal, logging 36 tackles, eight sacks, and a career-best 11 passes defended, while signaling he’s prepared to sit out into the regular season if necessary to secure proper value.

Two of Heyward’s notable backers, Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay, publicly urged Steelers ownership to get a deal done, underscoring the friction between roster value and cap realities. As Pittsburgh faces a regular season countdown, the clock ticks on negotiations that could reshape Heyward’s cap hit and ripple through the DL market. Heyward’s stance—being valued after a year like 2023—frames a broader national conversation about veteran leverage and housing elite defensive front talent in the salary era.

In this landscape, Heyward’s health and presence matter beyond Week 1. If a new contract isn’t in place, the Steelers must weigh the impact on their run defense, Watt’s edge rush pairing, and the long-term structure of the DL. The result could set a template for similar negotiations around the league, turning Heyward’s contract saga into a bellwether for substantial veteran extensions at premium non-quarterback positions.

With the season approaching, the Steelers aim to balance rewarding Heyward’s peak with sustainable cap health. The debate isn’t just about numbers; it’s about how teams value longevity, leadership, and on-field impact when the defensive line has shifted so dramatically in a single offseason.

The Cincinnati Bengals kicked the 2025 offseason into high gear by locking Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to long-term deals while Trey Hendrickson entered negotiations with a stalemate. Hendrickson ultimately asked for a trade, skipped minicamp, and returned after talks stalled, leaving Cincinnati open to moving the All-Pro pass rusher. With Hendrickson carrying more than $18 million this season and the Bengals unwilling to meet his price, a market for him should flare up fast.

The piece lays out the five most plausible landing spots, anchored by Detroit, which has the cap space and a clear hunger for a true edge presence; Green Bay, which could pair a veteran with Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness; Indianapolis, where Lou Anarumo’s fingerprints could help maximize Hendrickson’s prolific years; Seattle, where Mike Macdonald can mold pressure, and Carolina, desperate for a jolt to its pass rush horde. The discussion also notes Hendrickson’s age and the market’s maturity, suggesting a dynamic summer for fantasy managers and bettors alike as rosters and salaries shift.

Jason McCourty breaks down the AFC West threat map, arguing KC’s nine-division-streak isn’t just about talent or scheme but the evolving divisional landscape. He points to quarterbacks and coaches in the neighboring teams creating a sharper challenge in 2025, especially as Payton’s second year in Denver and Harbaugh-adjacent growth with the Chargers begin to bear fruit. The discussion centers on how the division’s defenses and playmakers could close the gap, making the Chiefs’ throne more precarious than in prior years.

Key names and teams to watch surface quickly: Denver’s revamped defensive identity under Vance Joseph, SF’s staunch front guided by Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga, and Seattle’s offense with Geno Smith providing balance to a division that finally looks more competent on both sides of the ball. McCourty’s PAC Board work amplifies his network insight, underscoring how player development and mentorship may tilt competitive balance as schedules tighten and rosters shift.

Pittsburgh’s No. 26 jersey has a new face in Brandin Echols, who signed a two-year deal in March and is making a strong case during camp and the Jaguars preseason, potentially locking in a prominent role for 2025. The countdown to Jets at MetLife frames Echols’ ascent as part of a longer No. 26 lineage in Pittsburgh.

No. 26 history on the Steelers includes Donte Jackson (2024), Anthony McFarland Jr. (2020-2023), Mark Barron (2019), and Le’Veon Bell (2013-2017). Rod Woodson stands out as the franchise’s best to wear 26, with a Hall of Fame résumé that mirrors the jersey’s legacy: ballhawk playmaking, multiple Pro Bowls, Defensive POY, and elevated status in Steelers lore.

The piece also situates this year’s No. 26 in the Jets game narrative, noting the crosshair on the defense as Pittsburgh looks to leverage Echols’ camp credibility and the No. 26 banner’s weight in a 2025 campaign that could hinge on secondary depth and big-play moments from the cornerback spot.