The Pittsburgh Steelers are making sure that star defensive linemen Cameron Heyward isn't going anywhere, as the team has reportedly agreed to a contract extension with one of its franchise stalwarts.
According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the Steelers and Heyward have agreed to a three-year, $45 million extension that includes $29 million in new money, $16 million fully guaranteed and a signing bonus of nearly $15 million.
Heyward, 35, was set to hit free agency after this season, but this new deal will keep him around through the 2026 season, Fowler notes, and almost certainly guarantees he'll never play for another team.
The only real concern with the new deal is that Heyward is up there in age, and he's coming off a season in which he battled injury and missed six contests while not playing at the elite level we've been accustomed to.
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
That said, Heyward is still better than a lot of players at his position and remains he's a great leader and a key piece on the interior of a Steelers defense that stands to be elite in 2024.
Also, it's very possible the Steelers structured the deal in a way that doesn't leave them with a ton of commitment in the next few years. We should know more about the structure in the coming days.
Many Steelers fans were happy to see the new deal, but there were definitely some who are concerned about what Heyward will be able to offer moving forward.
Never a better time to invest $30 million more in a 35 year old than when he’s coming off his first major injury that cost him half a season and crippled him the other half 👍
— Kevin Doubleday (@kevin_doubleday) September 3, 2024
How unlikely! Yet here we are. Thanks @steelers pic.twitter.com/KZ3rNDhlbT
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) September 3, 2024
@CamHeyward LETS GOOOOO!!! https://t.co/hrVWVlG83l
— Josh (@Josh_Mccrumb) September 3, 2024
A Steeler till the end, god I hope we can do it for you Cap, Well deserved 👏 @CamHeyward https://t.co/ryS4027CmE
— Tony (@_Guzmann_) September 3, 2024
Cam Heyward getting AT LEAST $20M on the open market next year but some of y'all don't want to acknowledge that
— 🏴☠️⚾️ (@BucsTankSzn) September 3, 2024