After initial thoughts that Steelers defensive mainstay Cameron Heyward was perhaps contemplating retirement, we heard reports that seemed to indicate that he intended to return for his 14th season of play. The latest from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler seems to indicate that Heyward’s visions for the future expand far past the 2024 NFL season. 
Heyward, 35, has spent all 13 of his NFL seasons with the Steelers, somehow getting better with age. Before reaching the fifth-year option of his first-round rookie contact, the Steelers extended Heyward to a six-year, $59.25MM deal. Up to that point, Heyward had showed plus attributes as a pass rusher with a career-high of 7.5 sacks in a season. After missing the team’s final ten games of the first year of his new contract in 2016, Heyward delivered a career year with 12.0 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, and 22 quarterback hits the following season.
Since then, Heyward has perennially been considered one of the top interior pass rushers in the NFL, missing a Pro Bowl last year for the first time since that breakout season. In addition to a down year, Heyward missed more than two games with injury for the first time since 2016, sitting out six contests near the beginning of the year. That groin injury was part of Heyward’s consideration to hang up his cleats, but according to Fowler, Heyward is healthy from last year’s injury and plans to play “several more years.”
In order to play several more years, though, Heyward is going to need a new contract. The veteran is heading into the final year of his most recent deal. He is reportedly seeking an extension and is pushing for the new deal this offseason, so much so that Heyward is planning not to attend the team’s organized team activities. An extension could also benefit the Steelers, as well, as Heyward is set to represent a $22.41MM cap hit in 2024. A new deal could lessen that cap hit, pushing bigger numbers to later years.
Heyward, who also skipped Pittsburgh’s voluntary offseason workouts, has never missed an offseason program during his time as a long-time team captain. Going to these lengths shows just how serious he is about pursuing a new deal that keeps him in town for several more seasons.
Cameron Heyward has played 12 years under one HC, Mike Tomlin. He has earned 6 Pro Bowls and 3 First Team All-Pro.
Cameron Heyward has earned the right not to be at OTA’s.
He wants a new contract? Few would disagree he’s earned the right, but paying an aged-out former star based on past accomplishments is just downright stupid. Really hope they do a restructure and just let him walk after this season. Struggled to stay on the field last season and overpaying for a few games a year is would be unwise. Look no further than the Saints paying Cameron Jordan all that guaranteed money last money is a good case study against giving out Cam his own extension.
I know he’s a good guy, a community guy etc but in the end he’s a businessman. What he wants is to play 2-3 more years and wants the contract extension now. But don’t mention a pay cut
Highsmith restructured and I have to think Hayward doing the same might have sweetened the pot to bring a top flight receiver here but he declined
Good guy, community guy and a guy whose great grandchildren won’t have to work because of his accomplishments as a ball player. Good for him
But this is just selfishness
Screw him. Play first under the current contract and earn another
According to OTC (Over The Cap) … Cameron has done just that three times. In his 12 years with the Steelers he has played his contract and earned another in 2011, 2015, and 2020.
Yeah, great. This pouting doesn’t fit your narrative. He now wants to be under contract for 2-3 more seasons although his shelf life now may be at an end
The guy’s been a good player but he’s not owed anything. I’d rather the Steelers use the same method they did with Hines and Troy here
Guys been great. But after 14 years. Numerous injuries snd overweight. The steelers would be out of their minds to extend him. He’s 35. Time to ho out in style
He has excelled under Matt Canada and is going to skip OTA’s. He has everything to lose and nothing to gain.
What a better way to show his worth then letting Lowry and Lee step up and take the reps.
Imagine being mad that Cameron Heyward is sitting out OTAs.
TJ watts job is infinitely easier than what Heyward does and Heyward is just as good. Nick Herbig could fill in for Watt and do OK. No one can do what Heyward does on the current roster.
The Steelers are 1-10 without Watt, so no. Pretty sure we managed alright last season without Hayward for a long stretch. Not saying he wasn’t missed, but tacking on more years right now would be insanely idiotic for a player this old at that position. Let the youth get some reps and just add some guarantees. We’re not winning a Super Bowl this year anyway. If he’s healthy at year end then reopen the conversation. I’d love to hear your thoughts on our WR depth though..
5 of those loses came with Trubisky at QB and a garbage oline. Most garbage stat yinzers repeat all the time likes it relevant
Watt never goes up against a LT. When he starts beating Trent Williams he can cla to be the best
El guano. I think you aren’t watching the steeler games. Heyward best days are over. I see him getting blown away by a tackle. Then he’s running 10 yards downfield then jumps on him after someone else tackled him
He’s older and wiser. Why chance an injury when you’re looking to secure most likely your final contract to a stellar career. He’s given them his all, so there’s no reason to think he’s looking to be difficult at the contract table.
Sure, he may get paid for accomplishments done in the past, but he’s still effective on the field and a leader in the locker room. Give the man his final contract, he may not play out the entirety of it anyway, and move forward. Now is not the time to hem and haw, this team has a chance to go far and he’s part of that chance.
You can’t be serious. Since when did the Steelers extend contracts of aging superstars just for old time’s sake? Polamalu was more on his game and shown the door. Hines Ward.
This philosophy goes back to Noll’s “Time to get on with your life’s work” line.
In the era of cap limitations and contracts in the tens of millions, it’s an even more pertinent way to proceed
The guy was a good player. He could have restructured to allow more cap space but chose not to. I’m guessing that the only reason the Steelers aren’t telling him to take a hike is because of the PR nightmare it would be to cut a Walter Payton Man of the Year
Hines lost a couple of steps and Troy, while still hitting, was getting burned on deep coverage at the end. Cam is still effective, or at least has been up to this point and no reason to believe otherwise. Guarantee the first year with a second non guaranteed.
As for history, things have slightly changed over the past decade. Different GM, different approach, etc. Pickett was tossed – fail fast mentality. Ben was held onto maybe a year or two more than we needed him to be, but it was done anyway. For Cam, he’s not just being paid for performance on the field, it’s also what he does on the sidelines and in the locker room. Sprinkle in his off field activity and representation and you get a player, coach, and leader.
Disagree completely with your characterizations of Polamalu and Ward, and the unceremonious way of dumping both provides an amazing contrast to one of your last rationales for keeping Cam
And if either of these guys “lost a step,” Hayward is right there with them, injuries aside
No way did Hines and Troy play up to the level he has to this point, aside from last years injury. He’s still playing at a high level. Hines and Troy went just beyond their effective years. Cam may as well if he continues, but the position he plays lends to older players better than receiver or secondary.
Canada was offensive coordinator. Heyward plays defense. Try not to hit the bong when you post
No I think that’s just where we’re at nowadays unfortunately
Saw that as well, but getting used to it being the norm.
This could develop into an interesting standoff but the Steelers went down this road before with a disgruntled James Harrison…so they may have the advantage.
Harrison wasn’t a Walter Payton winner. No denying Hayward is a class guy who does a great deal in the community. That said, imagine the PR nightmare if they take the hard line approach