The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without one of their veteran players for a while.

Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, whose contract expires at the end of the 2024 NFL season, will not participate in organized team activities as he seeks to negotiate a contract extension.

The 35-year-old has also not attended voluntary offseason workouts, according to league insider Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

Heyward is the longest-tenured player on the team, having been on the roster since he was selected as the 31st overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

The 13-year veteran is a long-time team captain who has never missed an offseason program before this.

According to figures from Over The Cap, Heyward will earn a base salary of $16 million in 2024.

Cameron Heyward aims to play for a few more years

The six-time Pro Bowl selection revealed in a recent interview that he has been in discussions with the team regarding a contract extension and the number of years he intends to continue playing.

"We've talked about an extension. We'll see what happens. My goal is to play for 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," Heyward said on SteelersNow last Saturday, May 11.

Heyward recorded 25 solo tackles, eight assists, and 2.0 sacks in 11 games during the 2023 season.