The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a busy offseason, filling many holes. However, the organization still needs to resolve some lingering situations. One of the most significant issues is the possible contract extension for defensive tackle, Cameron Heyward.
Heyward, the longest-tenured member of the Black and Gold, is entering the final year of his contract. He has repeatedly said he is not ready to hang up his cleats yet. However, after he suffered a significant injury in 2023, it seems the organization isn't comfortable giving him the extension, or they aren't comfortable with the amount of money he wants.
Longtime Steelers reporter for The Athletic, Mark Kaboly, recently named Heyward as Pittsburgh's "one player contract worth watching." Heyward has never experienced being a free agent during his 14 seasons in the NFL, and he has stressed his desire to be a "one helmet player" consistently. The most recent Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award recipient has also been selected for six Pro Bowls and is a three-time First Team All-Pro. As Kaboly points out, the Steelers are in a tight spot with their traditional deadline of the team's first game looming on September 8th. Kaboly says Heyward isn't feeling as secure as he would like.
"The Steelers would love to keep Heyward, but being 35 and coming off an injury-plagued year, they would much rather address it in the offseason," writes Kaboly. "Heyward wants more security -- he has said he wants to play for three more years, thus the impasse. Heyward didn't show up for a portion of the offseason workouts, but did return for the final week of OTAs (Organized Team Activities) and minicamps. He's not optimistic, at this point, that a deal will get done, but he's been in a similar position before eventually signing before the season. It's a complicated issue with Heyward being the face of the franchise, but he is coming off two groin surgeries over five months and is a shell of himself. At 35, not many comps are around for his position, further complicating the issue."
Heyward did not attend the initial voluntary team activities. Head Coach Mike Tomlin quickly pointed out that a veteran of Heyward's stature missing isn't unheard of and cautioned the media not to read too much into it. As Kaboly pointed out, he did arrive for the last part of OTAs and minicamp, but this has many wondering if Heyward will choose to hold in at training camp as others have done in the past.
During the 2020 offseason, before the signing of his current four-year $65,600,00 contract, Heyward was in a similar spot. He held in at camp, and ultimately, they managed to get the deal done, and everyone was happy. But that Heyward was four years younger; a 35-year-old high-performing defensive lineman is a bit of a unicorn. Heyward swears he is back at 100% from his injury, saying a groin is not an ACL and will not linger. However, football remains a business, and the Steelers seem to want to see it for themselves.
Steelers Just Taking Advantage Of Cameron Heyward?
The Heyward situation is big news in Pittsburgh right now, so it is unsurprising that Kaboly writes and speaks about it often. Kaboly has shared that he feels the Steelers might be taking advantage of Heyward's dedication to the franchise and the city. While no one outside of the organization knows the specifics of what the two sides want, The way he sees it, they are dangling his future like a carrot in front of him, hoping to see what he does this year before making an offer.
Kaboly said he really hopes that isn't the case. He would like to think they are treating Heyward with the respect he deserves. He also believes this is a bad precedent to set. It would be different if Heyward had only been with the team for a few years, but you don't find someone of his caliber every day. If they are willing to do this to Heyward, then why would the younger guys trust in them?
