Steelers Captain Cam Heyward Listed As An Intriguing Trade Candidate By Pro Football Network

The Pittsburgh Steelers have pushed a few of their all-time greats out the door over the years. Troy Polamalu, Hines Ward and James Harrison's departures were a bit sour. The Steelers legends weren't completely ready to hang up the cleats, but Pittsburgh was ready to move on from them. Harrison left and tested his luck with the Cincinnati Bengals and ended up back in the Steel City to finish his career, but Ward and Polamalu ended up retiring rather than continuing their career outside of Pittsburgh. Cam Heyward will go down as an all-time great Steeler, and his illustrious Steelers career might have a less than ideal ending.

Heyward has been very public about his displeasure when it comes to his current contract situation and has said that he wants an extension with the team. Heyward has been named an All-Pro four times in his career with Pittsburgh, he's been an integral piece of the team's defense next to TJ Watt, but he's coming off of an injury-riddled season and he isn't getting any younger. 

Ideally, Heyward will end his career in black and gold with a Super Bowl victory and ride off into the sunset, but this unfortunately isn't a Disney movie. Pro Football Network named Heyward as a trade candidate for the Steelers. Here's what was said about Heyward from the article:

"There is no denying that Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward will be remembered as an all-time great in franchise history. Yet the Steelers could opt to trade him as he heads into the final season of his contract."

While it's hard to imagine that Omar Khan would trade Heyward when the Steelers' defensive line already lacks depth, but it's not ridiculous considering the circumstances. Heyward is 35 years old and heading into the final year of his contract. In 11 games in 2023, he only had two sacks. Granted, the longest tenured Steeler adds value to Pittsburgh outside of pass rushing and his sack numbers should be higher for a player being paid as one of the top defensive linemen in football.

Steelers' Defensive Line Lacks Depth Heading Into The 2024 Season

Outside of Heyward the Steelers defensive line consists of rising star Keeanu Benton, Larry Ogunjobi and a number of players that haven't proved to be any more than rotational players. Ogunjobi is headed into the second year of his three year, 28.75 million dollar contract and is coming off of an underwhelming season. There's hope that he can have a bounce back season, but there's no guarantee that he will play up to his contract. 

Khan drafted defensive lineman Logan Lee and signed defensive lineman Dean Lowry this off season. It would be crazy to expect either of those guys to mimic Heyward's impact in the Steel City if the team were to part ways with their captain before the final year of his contract. 

Last season when Heyward went down with an injury, the team's defensive line looked rough. That's pretty much what would be expected from the Steelers front in 2024 if Heyward was traded ahead of his expiring contract. The Steelers would be relying too much on Benton to create pressure by himself from the interior.

With uncertainty surrounding Heyward's future with the franchise and Ogunjobi's lack of performance, it looks like Benton is becoming the future of the Steelers' defensive line. Benton showed flashes of extreme talent in his rookie season. 

Expectations for Benton heading into his second season in the Steel City will be very high and if he can deliver, there won't be many better front sevens in football. Whether the Steelers keep Heyward or not, the torch is being passed from Heyward to Benton as the most important member of the Pittsburgh defensive line.

Do you think the Steelers will trade Cam Heyward before his contract expires? Let us know in the comments below!

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