Add The New York Post on Google Cameron Heyward has had it with the NFL’s franchise tag.
The Steelers defensive tackle, an NFL Players Association executive committee member, ripped the system when asked by reporters on Wednesday.
“Stupid,” he said of the franchise tag, per ESPN. “It hampers players. Why should any team be able to take advantage of a player for one year? It’s used in negotiations, and I think between the player options, the franchise tags, the way they control rookies, I think it’s kind of backwards.”
Cameron Heyward of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up prior to a game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Getty Images The franchise tag allows teams to keep a player with an expiring contract for one more season rather than letting them test the open market as a free agent.
The player receives a one-year salary determined by the league’s franchise-tag formula, while the team gets more time to negotiate a long-term deal.
The system has been in place since 1993, and has often been criticized as being unfair toward players.
Heyward’s comments come as teammate Joey Porter Jr. is locked in a stalemate with Pittsburgh during contract extension negotiations.
“I just told him it’s a process,” Heyward said Wednesday, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “He has to understand things are done differently here. Keep your head up, stay involved and stay ready because the worst thing is to not be ready.
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. watches the game against the Green Bay Packers during the second half at Acrisure Stadium on Thursday, August 13, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect “You have to show people you deserve the contract you get.”
It’s still unclear if Porter, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal, will play in the Steelers’ season opener against the Falcons on Sunday if the two sides don’t come to a deal.
“I don’t know,” Porter said earlier this month when asked about playing in the game. “I got to talk to the guys upstairs and my agents about that.”
Heyward made it clear he supports Porter maximizing his value while he has the opportunity.
“If a player is at the top of his position, he should be paid that way,” Heyward said.
“We truly want everybody to just be able to maximize what they can do and their potential. We understand this game isn’t for long, and every player has to do that.”
