Cameron Heyward has made it known he wants another Steelers extension, and the team typically completes deals with its re-up candidates before Week 1. As of now, the standout defensive lineman remains tied to the four-year, $65.6MM contract he signed back in 2020.
The Steelers have Heyward tied to a $16MM base salary and $22.4MM cap number this year, with the deal expiring after the 2024 season. Coming off an injury-plagued season, Heyward has still been one of the best defensive linemen in Steelers history. He ripped off a run of six Pro Bowls and four All-Pro nods (three as a first-teamer) from 2017-22 and does not look to be planning a near-future retirement.
Heyward is believed to be targeting a two-year deal ahead of his age-35 season, according to The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly (subscription required). This comes after a Heyward comment in January that did not guarantee he would even return for the 2024 season. The 2011 first-round pick signing a fourth Steelers contract would drop his 2024 cap number, but no agreement appears imminent.
Heyward did, however, return to OTAs this week after missing some time due to this contract situation. And he has no designs on testing free agency in 2025.
“There has been communication but nothing really to report on right now,” Heyward said of contract talks. “There are certain guys who are one-helmet guys. I want to be one of these one-helmet guys. There is a hunger and desire there, but that doesn’t mean hanging it up and calling it a career. I have more bullets to fire.”
Teaming with T.J. Watt to form one of the NFL’s best inside-outside pass-rushing duos in the modern era, Heyward said (via Kaboly) he is aiming to play through at least 2026. That would explain the two-year extension pursuit. It is not known what the Steelers have offered, if anything, at this point, but Heyward is coming off a down season.
The longtime interior D-lineman missed six games and underwent two surgeries — both groin procedures, the second of which coming just after the season — in a five-month span. Heyward finished last season with just two sacks and six tackles for loss, numbers out of step with the upper-echelon work he displayed in recent years. It would make sense if the Steelers were hesitant about authorizing another extension, seeing as Heyward’s production dipped during his injury-shortened season. Heyward is also the NFL’s oldest active D-lineman, though he is just two months older than the Saints’ Cameron Jordan.
The latter 2011 first-round draftee’s two-year, $26.5MM extension could be a roadmap for the Steelers, even if the two Cams do not function in the same role despite both technically labeled defensive ends. The Steelers’ 3-4 scheme features extensive inside-rushing work from Heyward, whereas Jordan has operated as an edge rusher throughout his career. Both Heyward and Jordan made the Pro Bowl each year from 2017-22.
The D-tackle market, after a 2023 boom that created a second tier and then this offseason’s Chris Jones and Christian Wilkins pacts, has changed dramatically since the Steelers extended Heyward in 2020. The impact defender — attached to a $16.4MM-per-year number — has dropped to 20th at his position in terms of AAV.
“I am looking to be here,” Heyward said. “The value is what we decide, but I think, for me, I want to be valued at my position. I understand I came off a rough season, but I don’t think it is a step down of where I can play. I think when I’m at the top of my game, I’m still a top-five player at my position. I play the run and the pass and I bring leadership, and it’s not anything I discount.”
Unless a new deal comes together quickly, Kaboly adds Heyward is not certain to participate in Pittsburgh’s minicamp. The veteran will attend, however. He staged a hold-in back in 2020, as a new CBA with language designed to curb holdouts was ratified, before signing his four-year extension.
The Steelers have both Watt and Alex Highsmith signed to big-ticket deals, and Minkah Fitzpatrick remains tied to a top-three safety accord. The team gave Patrick Queen a three-year, $41MM contract in March. The team is saving considerable money at quarterback due to its Russell Wilson–Justin Fields setup. With Diontae Johnson off the roster, no eight-figure-per-year contract is present on the offensive side of the ball for the Steelers.
This setup opens the door for defensive spending, but the Steelers’ front office will need to gauge how much more Heyward contributions it can expect as he aims to play into his late 30s.
Tack on 2 years, 20 million then let him ride off in to the sunset
“I have more bullets to fire.”
Is this guy looking for a contract extension or membership in the NFL GUN CLUB?
Anyone who has watched the run defense get torched anytime he’s not playing knows what the right answer to this question is.
I dunno. The run defense wasn’t much better when he was playing
Let him walk after this season
I say let him ho now. How many times did he rn downfield chasing a runner, after the runner ran circles around him. Great player in his day. But time and age catches up with everyone. Like the emperor Chuck roll always said. Time to get on with your life’s work.
Are yiu watching the steelers or some other team?
Troy, Hines, Ben were all forced out when they wanted to stay. Cam, you’re next bud.
pay him for what he is. a 35 yr old part time player. $5 million per season at the most. nobody is paying old dlinemen coming off of an injury.
There is no dispute that Heyward has earned it. Is he worth it? Despite his age, Heyward has remained effective, and does much for the team off the field that is hard to quantify. It may be less than he likes, but treating as, in c-6’s words, a part time player would be best of both. See how he does in that role, and if it is successful, there’s no reason that Heyward couldn’t stay and mentor the younger players while providing value on the field-with less responsibility.
Agree 100%. And truthfully, the issue of an extension is kind of prickly in that Hayward is the Walter Payton Man of the Year and does so much locally. On a personal basis, he’s undoubtedly a good dude
But I wonder if he’d take any kind of cut as being an insult. He wouldn’t restructure his contract over these last couple years which would have allowed more cap space for bringing in a free agent or two. Hard to believe he’d look favorably on a cut, even at his age
Yeah, I agree. You know more about the Steelers than I do, though-who is there to take that spot right now, though? Is there a player who is ready to step in this year, or the next?
In the absence of a clear successor, I don’t see the harm in a two year deal. The run defense could use work with or without Heyward, but I don’t see the clear upgrade who is currently on the roster or is approachable in free agency. Heyward may be up there, but I don’t see another two years of service from him hurts Pittsburgh right now. They’re a “culture” team as is; I think Heyward’s contributions in that department are amplified because of that, more so than they’d be elsewhere.
They’re counting on a few young guys to step up but your question is appropriate. I’ve never seen opposing running backs tear through that line for big chunks at a time as I have these past few years. If there’s one guy who’s been consistent, yeah, it’s Hayward. But so much so to justify the big contract? Not so sure
We all focus on the lack of number 2 receiver but they really need someone—anyone—to step up on the D-line this year
So Cam wants a lifetime achievement award. The Steelers need to spend that money wisely. That’s not the way to do it.