The Pittsburgh Steelers veteran defensive lineman Cameron Heyward has faced frustration since the 2023 season began. It started with an unfortunate groin injury at the start of the campaign, sidelining him until Week 9. Upon his return, his production decreased, leading some fans to suggest he take a pay cut.
Peter Diana / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers' Cam Heyward attempts to tackle the Chiefs QB.
Heyward was upset by the notion that he, of all players, should need to take a pay cut. He believes he has earned every penny and should be recognized accordingly. As he enters the final year of his contract, Heyward has decided to skip Organized Team Activities (OTAs) for the first time in his career. He is skipping them because he wants to secure a new deal with the team before the season starts.
Some have speculated whether Heyward's career is nearing its end. However, Heyward has made it clear that he intends to play for at least two more seasons after 2024, hoping for three more total at prime performance levels. At 35 years old, his contract carries a significant cost for the Steelers. While his future in Pittsburgh seems secure, if he and the team cannot agree on a new deal, a trade or holdout could be possible.
With his frustration building, Heyward has faced criticism from fans on social media, which he has acknowledged and used as motivation. Recently, he took to social media to criticize football fans for their lack of understanding when judging defensive linemen.
When did defensive line players only get highlighted by getting sacks? Isn’t it best to be a force in both sacks and TFLs? Some of y’all favorite pass rushers get rolled. And TJ and Alex ain’t the ones getting rolled 😉 pic.twitter.com/BthHn4LHO5
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) June 3, 2024
In his remarkable 13 seasons in the NFL, Heyward has been a dominant force on the defensive line, excelling in both sacks and tackles for loss. He has amassed 647 combined tackles, 80.5 sacks, and 121 tackles for loss. Football pundits still regard him as one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL, and he is eager to prove that it was his injury, not his age, that limited him in 2023.
NFL
Steelers' Cameron Heyward accepting the 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award from Prince Harry.
Heyward won the 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. His teammate, TJ Watt, was a contender for the Defensive Player of the Year Award. However, he didn't win it, and many Steelers fans felt he was wrongfully overlooked by the NFL. Watt led the NFL in sacks during the 2023 season with 19 and was the most important player on the Steelers' team. His on-field performance strongly supported the belief that he deserved the award.
Steelers' Cameron Heyward Ranked High By Pro Football Focus
It seems Heyward is pointing out that some pass rushers are receiving more praise than they deserve, and it's not aimed at his teammates like Watt or Alex Highsmith. Heyward wants his credit and is unhappy that football fans consistently disrespect his recent accomplishments. However, not everyone discredits him—Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranked Heyward as the fifth-best defensive lineman in the league. PFF expects Heyward to remain a dominant force on the line until he decides to retire.
Bill Washinski
Steelers' Cam Heyward and TJ watt sit with their heads down during an away game.
Average football fans often judge defensive linemen solely by their sack numbers. However, getting tackles for loss is a significant part of playing on the defensive line. Sometimes their role is to free up teammates like Highsmith and Watt to rush the quarterback.
Accumulating both tackles for loss and sacks is a key metric for a successful defensive lineman, and Heyward has excelled in both throughout his career. He is confident he will continue this in 2024. Steelers fans are eager to see how Pittsburgh addresses Heyward's request for a new deal and hope to see him back with the team soon.
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