Steelers Great Antonio Brown Has Seen Cam Heyward's Situation Before: "Finally Feeling The Energy"

The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for a much anticipated 2024 season that'll feature a lot of new faces donning the black and gold. One familiar face that remains in Pittsburgh is Cam Heyward, who is currently seeking a contract extension with the team. Heyward is entering the last year of his deal, in what will be his 14th season in the NFL. His age seemed to slow him down in 2023, so most fans are on the fence about committing more resources to the 35 year old.

Heyward initially wasn't showing up to Pittsburgh's Organized Team Activities (OTAs) during the 2024 season, which are voluntary. He was doing this to show the organization that he is serious about getting a new deal, and he will hold out if he needs to. Eventually he showed up, and has been present, but still desires a new deal. 

Former Steelers All-Pro receiver, Antonio Brown recently hosted a Spaces on X where he spoke on Heyward's situation.

"Cam Heyward is finally feeling the energy from when you're an older player with the Steelers. That's the thing about being a player with a team for so long. Your life, your family is indebted to them. But then you realize it's a business, they don't have no need for you no more. It's like you're breaking up with your wife after 10 years." 

Pittsburgh has a rough history with some of their older players. One that comes to mind is Hines Ward, who signed a five-year extension in 2009, but was essentially forced into retirement after the 2011 season. The Steelers made their intentions public to cut or release Ward, who wanted to be a Steeler for his entire career. Ward retired less than two weeks after being cut by Pittsburgh.

Although it may be cruel to "force" a player into retirement, it was for the betterment of the organization. It opens up a roster spot, and allows the team to move forward and start planning for the future. A player like Ward probably deserved better from the Steelers, as he was a huge part of two Super Bowl teams, but unfortunately, that is not the way things went. 

Brown talked more about other players that have had this done to them by the Steelers.

"Yeah, they did it to Larry Foote, Troy [Polamalu]. A lot of ex-Steelers players man, great players. That's why my last year, in 2018, I was like, 'I gotta leave the Steelers.' You gotta think, the Steelers just got rid of their receiver that they just paid. And they always send the players to the worst team in the world."

Brown is speaking about Diontae Johnson, who the Steelers signed to an extension ahead of the 2022 season. They traded him to the Carolina Panthers, who do seem to be the worst franchise in the NFL currently. The way Pittsburgh has handled some of their players hasn't been amazing, but that can be said about every organization in sports. It's a business, and teams need to make decisions that will give them the best chance to succeed moving forward.

Steelers Won't Force Heyward Into Retirement

Heyward's situation is a little different than other career-long Steelers from the past. His current contract expires after the 2024 season, and then he will have the freedom to sign wherever he would like to. He has already spoken about warming up to the idea of wearing a different uniform after this year, which could become a real possibility. 

The Steelers could always get a deal done with Heyward before training camp, or they could wait and try to re-sign him after the 2024 season. He would be good to keep around as a veteran presence, as long as he agrees to stay for a reasonable price. Otherwise, he could end up elsewhere. His father played primarily for both the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons, so seeing Heyward end up in either of those spots doesn't seem unrealistic. 

What do you think about Brown's comments on how the Steelers handle older players? Let us know below!

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