Cam Heyward talks whether he'll return to Steelers in 2024

Cam Heyward is 34 and finishing up his 13th season in the NFL. The Steelers favorite never has known another team.

But how much longer will this former Pittsburgh first rounder from Ohio State stick around? He missed the first half of this season because of a groin injury. And because of his age — he’ll be 35 in May — it’ll be more difficult to get over the nagging aches most NFL players feel for just doing their jobs.

Heyward talked about his future with the Steelers this week.

“First and foremost, I have to see how my body feels. It’s been a rough season,” Heyward told reporters.

There likely are other factors at play. Heyward has one year remaining on his contract with the Steelers. And he’s set to make $16 million for the 2024 season. The site ProFootballTalk noted that the Steelers would get all that cap space back if Pittsburgh and Heyward part ways. There’s speculation that Pittsburgh may ask him to take a pay cut to stay.

Heyward missed six straight Steelers games after groin surgery

Heyward, a Steelers team captain. missed six games this year as he dealt with a groin issue that required surgery to heal. He played the season opener, then showed back up in the lineup against the Titans in week nine. Heyward still is limited in practice. Last Sunday, Heyward was in on one tackle and was credited with a defended pass. The defensive lineman has only two sacks and 31 tackles this season. His tackle totals haven’t been that low since his second season in Pittsburgh.

In years past. Heyward has talked about his future with the team, prefacing his decision on whether the Steelers would want him back. However, this year he’s thinking about whether his body can handle another season.

This Saturday’s game against the Ravens could be the Steelers last of the season. Pittsburgh needs to beat the Ravens for a chance at a wildcard berth. Baltimore already clinched the top seed in the AFC, so the game won’t have an impact on the Ravens post season. It’s why Baltimore coach John Harbaugh decided to rest quarterback Lamar Jackson, the favorite to win NFL offensive player of the year.

The Steelers beat the Ravens (with Jackson) back in October. But even if they pull off a win, the Steelers don’t control their own fate. That’s because they also need the jaguars or Bills to lose.