Throughout contract negotiations with the Steelers, Cam Heyward voiced a strong desire to finish his career with the only franchise he's ever played for. Now, he'll get to do that.
The Steelers announced Tuesday that they had agreed to a new three-year contract with Heyward, keeping him in black and gold through the 2026 season. The deal is reportedly worth $45 million with $16 million fully guaranteed. The APY of $15 million ranks 20th among interior defensive linemen.
Heyward spoke at the end of last week about his contract status and said that he would control what he could, but his job was to play football. However, he also said: "I want to be here, I want to have one helmet, but that's for them to decide."
The Steelers have decided.
X: @CAMHEYWARD
Heyward, who's entering his 14th season with the organization and was named a team captain on Monday for the 10th consecutive season, the third most in franchise history, has played in 194 games and has recorded 159 starts while tallying 80.5 career sacks and 647 tackles. He is tied with James Harrison for the second-most career sacks in franchise history and trails only T.J. Watt.
Heyward, 35, is coming off a season in which he only played in 11 games due to a groin injury that hampered him for the majority of the season. He only recorded 33 tackles and two sacks after playing 14 defensive snaps in the first game of the season and then missing the next six. However, even while his contract status was unknown throughout training camp, Heyward recently said rather than hold in and not participate, he felt the need to prove that he was healthy heading into this season.
He looked healthy and agile down in Latrobe, Pa. and doesn't seem to have any lingering effects of the injury that plagued him last season. He's in a good spot and will contribute to a deep defensive line that includes the likes of Larry Ogunjobi, Keanu Benton, DeMarvin Leal, Montravius Adams Sr., Dean Lowry and Isaiahh Loudermilk throughout the 2024 season.
Now, attention turns to other contract extension candidates, such as Pat Freiermuth. The Steelers don't negotiate contracts during the season, so now is the time to iron out such deals.
But the one probably most deserving of an extension just got one.
