A day after signing a three-year extension, Cam Heyward said he understands his situation. He knows he now has the chance to retire as a Steeler and become a "one-helmet guy" -- something he's always dreamed of -- and he acknowledged the special company he would join if he did. But that's not what is on his mind now.
When speaking with media on Wednesday, Heyward called signing his three-year extension, which is reportedly worth $45 million with $16 million guaranteed, "a piece of the puzzle." It was one thing he wanted to get done ahead of the 2024 season as it allows him to turn his full focus to a bigger, team-oriented goal.
"It's awesome in the sense that it's good to put to bed but if I could sit here and tell you that's all I was thinking about, I'd be lying," Heyward said. "The goal is on the season and that was just a piece of the puzzle and now I can put that to bed. But, I'm excited to just worry about football, I'm excited to just play good football."
Heyward heads into his 14th season with the Steelers and was recently named a team captain for the 10th consecutive season, the third-most in franchise history behind Ben Roethlisberger (13) and Sam Davis (11), and he's also accomplished a lot during his career. He's played in 194 games and started in 159. He's tallied 647 tackles and is tied with James Harrison for the second-most sacks in team history with 80 1/2. He trails only T.J. Watt. He's also been to the Pro Bowl six times and is a three-time All-Pro.
Despite all of his accomplishments though, there's been one thing that's alluded Heyward -- and the Steelers -- throughout his career. Since Heyward was drafted with the 31st overall pick in 2011, the Steelers haven't been to a Super Bowl. They lost to the Packers the year before Heyward joined the league and have had opportunities at different times since, but haven't been able to break through.
One could tell that was weighing on Heyward on this day and he alluded to his determination to get to that stage when asked if he thinks about the past playoff losses and not having been to the Super Bowl. But with his contract situation in the rearview mirror, he's looking forward to facing that obstacle.
"It’s a challenge that I’m looking forward to attacking. I can’t be shy about what’s been done in the past, but I look forward to the future and attacking that," Heyward said. "I think we got a good team, we can sit up here and talk about playoffs but to get to the playoffs you have to dominate during the regular season and we’re not looking over that. It’s not playing for me or any of that, we have to play as a team and I look forward to putting my hand in the pile."
For Heyward, team accomplishments are the ultimate goal and that mindset is part of what has led to him being selected as a captain for the past 10 seasons. He always puts the team first and even said today that he takes his role as a leader "very seriously." To do he said you are "always thinking of the greater good of the team."
So, it shouldn't come as a surprise that on a day in which he could celebrate and bask in an individual accomplishment, one that he's always strived for and dreamed of, Heyward was still thinking about the team.
But, again, he understands what his three-year contract extension means and that's all he could ask for.
"The chance to be a one-helmet guy, that’s not set in stone, I have to play like it, but that’s the way I’ve always viewed it. When I first got here, getting drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, I couldn’t think about playing for another team, that’s always been a goal of mine ... It’s really special to live that legacy in one place."
