The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Cameron Heyward in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He has been a consistent player on the field and an even better person off the playing surface since arriving in the Steel City. While he may be nearing retirement in the next few years, he wants a new deal from the front office, but it isn't certain that the two sides will come to an agreement before the 2024 season kicks off. That means that the veteran could test free agency for the first time in his career once the 2025 new league year begins.
Heyward is coming off of a 2023 campaign that saw him miss several games due to a groin injury. He is 35 years of age and the Steelers are likely looking at not offering him a potential extension as a business decision. The team could want to see how his body responds to surgery as he prepares to enter his 14th professional season.
He was still able to compete in and start 11 games in 2023, but only had two sacks. The only other two years of his career that he had two or less sacks were the first two after being drafted (2011 and 2012). That doesn't mean he can't still play, but some analysts may be forgetting about him and his talents after a below average season.
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports provides a yearly "Top 100" list for players throughout the NFL. The 2024 version was released on Monday morning and he had three Steelers players listed. Those were TJ Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick and George Pickens. Surprisingly, Heyward didn't get recognized. Despite a down year in 2023, it's easy to argue that he remains one of the best interior defensive lineman in the league. Prisco doesn't seem to see it that way, however.
Heyward did make the "Honorable Mention" section of the rankings, but anyone who follows Heyward knows that he is very proud of all he has accomplished and doesn't enjoy being disrespected. A injury-filled season in 2023 shouldn't take away from the fact that he had double digit sacks in both 2021 and 2022. There is a little bit of history when it comes to Heyward coming back from an injury.
In 2016, the defensive lineman only played in seven games due to a torn pectoral muscle. While he was a bit younger then, he proved that he can bounce back after a season dealing with an ailment. In 2017, Heyward had a career-high 12 sacks and was fourth in NFL Comeback Player of the Year voting. If he did it then, the season vet should absolutely be able to prove Prisco and many others wrong in 2024.
The 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year will be on a mission to outperform what his critics think he is capable of in 2024. It shouldn't be unreasonable to think he can return to Pro Bowl form, despite his age. Depending on his health, he could certainly once again step up and be one of the most reliable defenders that the Steelers have.
Steelers Might Regret Not Extending Heyward Prior To 2024 NFL Season
If Heyward does indeed come back fully healthy and is dominant in 2024, Pittsburgh may regret not giving him a one or two-year extension. Sure, things can always be worked out prior to free agency opening up in 2025, but it is a dangerous game the organization is playing. The idea of being on the open market could be attractive for a future Hall of Fame candidate that is still looking to add a Super Bowl to his résumé.
