Steelers GM Omar Khan expects Cam Heyward with team ‘for years to come’

Cam Heyward is entering the final year of his contract with the Steelers, which means it might be his last season with the team and in Pittsburgh, a city he loves and supports.

The finality of it all likely hit Heyward as he reported to training camp this week in Latrobe, Pa. But although he wants a new deal, he showed up to work with his teammates. He toyed with the idea of a holdout during OTAs and minicamp, but quickly ended the boycott.

Still, the big defensive tackle doesn’t have a ton of leverage from last season to demand more money. He had the misfortune of tearing his groin in the season opener last fall. Although he still played 11 games, he didn’t look like his old self. Earlier this year, Heyward underwent another groin surgery.

Steelers general manager Omar Khan, while declining to talk specifics this week at his training camp press conference, said he wants Heyward to stay with the team for many more years. He’s a solid defensive tackle, plus Heyward is the reigning NFL Man of the Year for the work he does in the community.

“Last year, you know, we had a rough stretch there,” Khan said of Heyward’s injury. “But I’m confident the way he works, and you know Cam the person, the player, obviously, and I have no doubt that … Cam has a lot of football left in him. And I expect him to be here for years to come.”

The Athletic reported earlier this summer that the Steelers want to get something done with Heyward by Sept. 8. That’s the date of the Steelers season opener against the Falcons.

Heyward, after practice, discussed how he’s approaching this training camp.

“I’m just going to focus on being the best player I can be and control what I control and being locked into this team,” Heyward told reporters. “I’ll keep saying it. This team needs my leadership, my production, and I look forward to doing it.

“I just like being out here with the guys, being out here with a focus on trying to get better. I ask the dumbest questions in the room, but it’s more to just remind myself and then educate others.”

Up until last season, few questioned whether Heyward could still hustle and get it done. The former first-round pick from Ohio State made six straight Pro Bowls from 2017-22. For three of those seasons, he earned All Pro honors playing a position coveted by the NFL.

During this stretch, Heyward agreed to a hefty contract. The deal he signed in September 2020, was a four-year extension worth $64 million.

He says he wants to remain with the team that drafted him in 2011.

“It’s my goal,” Heyward said. “We’ll see what happens. I want to be here.”