The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a busy 2024 offseason. After a seemingly successful free agency and draft period, General Manager Omar Khan and Head Coach Mike Tomlin haven't left too many stones unturned. While a few areas of the team will likely need tweaking during training camp, most positions feel solid. One of the exceptions is the defensive line.
The Steelers' line is aging, and there are concerns about depth behind the team's veterans. That was elevated during 2023 when team captain Cameron Heyward suffered an injury-laden season. He ultimately only played in 11 games and had surgery to repair a groin and core muscle injury.
Unfortunately for Heyward, those injuries occurred in the season before his contract year. Now that Heyward is heading into the final year of the extension he signed in 2020, he hopes to lock himself into Pittsburgh for the remainder of his career. However, at 35 years old, he has his detractors, and there are those who believe the team should not waste the money on an aging lineman.
Heyward also has supporters. Before the 2023 injuries, he played in nearly every game and at a high level, dating back to 2018. He isn't shy about blowing his own horn, either. Heyward has spoken about his desire to play and stay in Pittsburgh and shared his frustration over comments about his contract and his abilities.
Cam Heyward: "I'm still a top-five player at my position." pic.twitter.com/lKZaAaGzGp
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) June 4, 2024
After missing the first days of Organized Team Activities (OTAs), Heyward reportedly returned to be with his team. While there, Heyward spoke with the media, and per a video posted by Mark Kaboly of The Athletic on X, he emphasized his desire to stay a Steeler and shared his confidence in his abilities.
"I'm looking to be here. I think for me, I want to be valued in my position. I understand I came off a rough season, but I don't think it's 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. I bring leadership," Heyward said about what he is hoping to get out of contract negotiations.
While Pro Football Focus (PFF) doesn't usually get love from Steelers fans, they certainly lent support to Heyward's defense of his abilities. They recently ranked him fifth overall among interior defenders in the league.
They called him one of the few players left from the excellent 2011 draft, saying he is still playing outstanding football. Before his injury, he averaged a PFF grade of 90.0 for the previous four seasons.
"At 35, Heyward is still a force to be reckoned with until he walks away," PFF warned.
The Steelers and Heyward must work out a deal that decides his future with the team. A fan favorite, he seems an unlikely candidate to hold out of team activities, but it is always possible that he will "sit in" as other players have done.
One thing is for sure: the Steelers' defense is better when Heyward is on the field. While they might be working on developing depth with the additions of Keeanu Benton and Logan Lee, those young players are not ready to fill Heyward's cleats quite yet.
Steelers' Keeanu Benton Ready To Pitch In
While Benton might not be ready to take over for Heyward, he is certainly doing everything he can to get there. Recently, former Steelers cornerback and current scout Ike Taylor spoke about Benton. He said he is impressed with the physicality the second-year player brings.
Taylor praised Benton's work ethic and said he is like a sponge, soaking up all he can learn from Heyward and Montravius Adams. In turn, Benton also shares that knowledge with Lee. This passing of knowledge from generation to generation is the Steelers' way and Benton is already displaying leadership skills.
