The Pittsburgh Steelers have gotten a lot of production out of Cam Heyward since they drafted him with their first round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Last season, Heyward dealt with injuries and in his age 34 season, he wasn't producing in the way he had been in past years. Due to a combination of Heyward's injury riddled season and other defensive linemen underperforming last year, the team's interior defensive line was a weak spot on the defense. The Steelers are hopeful that he can get healthy and return to playing at a very high level to boost the interior as a unit, but there are some concerns with his age and ability to stay healthy.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers' Cam Heyward and Mike Tomlin walk off the field after a game.
Although Heyward has said that he would miss voluntary OTAs without a contract extension, he and the Steelers aren't close to making that happen -- at least right now. Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette also mentioned that the Steelers have not asked Heyward to take a pay cut this season, like they did with Ben Roethlisberger prior to his final season and will honor his final year on his contract. The current severity of their extension "discussions" does not rule out an extension with Heyward in the future, but it doesn't look to be happening right now.
"The Steelers have had a 'discussion' with Heyward about a contract extension, but it has been nothing more than that, according to team sources. Heyward did not tell the Steelers about his threat to skip OTAs, preferring to announce it on his podcast, Not Just Football," wrote Dulac.
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Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward stares down the crowd during a game against the Cleveland Browns.
When Heyward is playing good football, the Steelers are certainly a better team. Not only does his on-the-field play give the defense a boost, but his veteran presence and locker room prowess as a captain, his 13-year veteran experience, and Walter Payton Man of the Year Award is something that can't be replaced.
2023 second round draft pick, Keeanu Benton showed that he can be a star on Pittsburgh's defensive line for years to come and the more time he spends with Heyward, the better. Everybody wants to see Heyward at OTAs, but that doesn't mean the team has to rush an extension and put money on the books for future seasons just to do what's best for the team in May.
The Steelers' Defensive Line Is Relying On Heyward
Pittsburgh made a few additions this offseason. Veteran defensive lineman Dean Lowry was signed in free agency and Iowa defensive lineman Logan Lee was drafted with the 178th pick in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Lowry and Lee can be good players, but they can't be expected to come in and make this an improved interior defensive line unit immediately. Heyward is set to have a cap hit of $22.4 million for the 2024 season. Whether he can play to the level of a $22.4 million dollar defensive lineman or not, he'll be expected to produce and make plays. Fellow veteran defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi will carry a 2024 cap hit just north of $13 million. He has had a good career, but was underwhelming in 2023, so he and Heyward will both need to take a leap in 2024 to make a difference on the defensive line. Whether their play this upcoming season warrants their combined $35 million+ cap hit or not, a high level of play will be expected from them regardless.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers' Larry Ogunjobi waits for drills to start during a team practice in 2022.
Even if Heyward isn't extended and this ends up being the final year of his illustrious career in Pittsburgh, the team needs his veteran presence and some flashes of prime Heyward to make the Steelers' defense one of the league's best in 2024.
Do you think the Steelers should extend Heyward and keep him in Pittsburgh past 2024? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
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