However, there aren’t many downsides to the Steelers giving Heyward a pay bump. It’s a good look to reward one of the team’s top defensive players over the past decade-plus, and with over $35 million in top-51 cap space, they have plenty of room to make the financial details work.

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward returned to practice Tuesday, ending a hold-in that spanned nearly two weeks amid his contract negotiations. But according to ESPN's Brooke Pryor, his participation does not signal any steps toward a new deal nor his acceptance of playing on his present contract.