The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a lot of questions throughout the 2024 offseason, including potential contract extensions with tight end Pat Freiermuth and veteran defender Cam Heyward. Heyward made his desires for a new contract known ahead of Pittsburgh's 2024 Organized Team Activities (OTAs), and even held out for a few practices. He quickly returned, but has remained stern on his desire for an extension.
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Veteran defensive lineman Cameron Heyward runs out of the tunnel before a game for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Many fans were skeptical about giving Heyward a new deal. He is coming off of an injury-riddled season in 2023 where he struggled to produce when he got back on the field. He has performed well in training camp, and the 35 year-old has shown the organization that he is worth an extension. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that Heyward and the Steelers reached an agreement on a new three-year deal.
Sources: The #Steelers and six-time Pro Bowl DE Cam Heyward have agreed to a three-year, $45M deal that includes $29 million in new money and $16 million fully guaranteed.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) September 3, 2024
Heyward, 35, who had $16M left on the final year of his previous deal, is now under contract through 2026,… pic.twitter.com/Ca41KhT9sK
As the season grew closer it became less and less likely that a deal would get done, but the veteran defender is now certainly in Pittsburgh for the remainder of his career. He now has no distractions, and will look to bounce back in 2024.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A7918-544x306.jpg "Steelers Cam Heyward")
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Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward (#97) stands on the field as Pittsburgh works out during a 2023 training camp practice in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers' Heyward Is Worth Every Penny
Heyward will go down as one of the best players to ever wear the black and gold, and now he will be able to be one of the "one helmet" guys that he has always spoken about. The veteran will now be with Pittsburgh through the 2026 season, which spans the exact amount of time he has said he desires to play -- he recently shared this with his quarterback Russell Wilson.
Although Heyward had a down year in 2023, he had made a Pro Bowl or had been named an All-Pro in the six seasons leading up to 2023. He is not far removed from seeing extreme success on the field, and fans should expect that kind of production to return in 2024. He will be playing alongside a surging star in Keeanu Benton, and the two should be the anchors for one of the best pass rushes in the league.
Steelers.com
Heyward has done everything in the NFL except win a Super Bowl. Now he will get two more years to reach that goal in Pittsburgh. Regardless of how fans feel, this is a well-deserved extension for one of the staples of the organization.
Are you happy with the new deal? Let us know in the comments below!
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