Ramon Foster: Steelers' Cam Heyward Is "Fighting A Losing Battle" With Age In 2024

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a franchise that, historically, takes pride in shutting down opponents' rushing attacks. For more than a decade, the organization has been able to rely on Cameron Heyward to lock down the middle of the defensive line. Now, as Heyward enters his 14th NFL season, there are concerns regarding the defensive leader's longevity as he seeks a contract extension. Ramon Foster, former offensive lineman for the Steelers, respects Heyward, but believes there are limits at this point in a player's career.

Heyward is coming off a 2023 season during which he missed extensive time due to a groin injury suffered early in the campaign. Despite that, Heyward missed most of Pittsburgh's 2024 Organized Team Activities (OTAs), believing he is due an extension to his contract. On Wednesday's Ramon Foster Steelers Show, the former undrafted free agent gave his perspective on Heyward's short-lived holdout and whether an extension is a realistic goal for the veteran.

"Cam is... 35, so he's fighting. Cam wants and knows that he can play, in his mind, but all the metrics, all the coaches, the history shows that he's fighting a losing battle. Not to say that he can't be productive and still be productive... and he's fighting for that relevancy to stay at the top of it and to be one of those guys still for the long haul."

Heyward isn't just a foundational piece of Pittsburgh's defense; he is also a beloved figure among the city's athletes. The 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award winner has established himself on and off the field for the Black and Gold, but when it comes down to it, the NFL is a business. The 35-year-old defensive lineman's age and injury concerns make the prospect of a lucrative extension slim.

If it wasn't for the 2023 season, perhaps Heyward would have more weight behind his argument for his new contract. Prior to his shortened 2023 campaign, Heyward had put together back-to-back seasons where he produced 10 or more sacks without missing a single game. When that is combined with the Steelers' lack of legitimate replacements for Heyward (outside of the young Keeanu Benton), the strategy of holding in to start the 2024 OTAs doesn't seem as strange.

DeMarvin Leal has underwhelmed, Benton has impressed (but is only entering his second NFL season), and sixth-round pick Logan Lee is a rookie. For a Steelers defense brimming with talent and depth, the defensive line is one area where a few injuries could start to cause some serious issues in the trenches. Without Heyward, both as a leader in the locker room and on the field, the Steelers would be betting on a group of defensive linemen with potential, but nothing that is certain. For a team that will need to rely on defense in 2024 as a brand new offense is rolled out, Pittsburgh can't have a defensive line issue to start out the season.

Steelers Happy To Have Heyward Back

While the holdout may have been shorter than either side expected, having Heyward back at Pittsburgh's 2024 OTAs was a welcomed sight. Benton had previously said that even though Heyward wasn't physically present during the beginning of OTAs, his communication with his teammates hadn't faltered. Nothing can take the place of a veteran defensive captain being around the younger players, especially in these early days of a team determining identity.

New Offensive Coordinator, Arthur Smith is just starting to build a report with his two new quarterbacks, not to mention putting together the Steelers' 2024 offensive attack. For Russell Wilson and the offense to be successful, they will have to be able to lean on Pittsburgh's high-priced defense if the need arises. 2023 was defined by offensive ineptitude that hung the defense out to dry far too often, but still, the Steelers' defenders scraped together a postseason berth. Ahead of the 2024 season, the Steelers have much higher expectations, and it all starts in the trenches with players like Heyward.

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