Steelers insider: Cam Heyward wants more 'security' in next contract

Cam Heyward, the reigning NFL Man of the Year and perfect face to rep the Steelers organization, might be playing his final season in black and gold.

The defensive tackle, who shares a family connection with both the city and the team, wants a contract extension. The Steelers have yet to offer a deal to Heyward’s liking. If nothing gets done, he’ll be a free agent next March.

Mark Kaboly, who covers the Steelers for The Athletic, had this to say about Heyward’s situation:

“The veteran Heyward is entering the final year of his deal. If he doesn’t sign by the organization’s self-imposed Sept. 8 deadline, the most tenured Steeler on the roster will hit free agency for the first time in his storied 14-year career. The Steelers would love to keep Heyward, but being 35 and coming off an injury-plagued year, they would much rather address it in the offseason. Heyward wants more security — he has said he wants to play for three more years, thus the impasse.

“Heyward didn’t show up for a portion of the offseason workouts but did return for the final week of OTAs and minicamp. He’s not optimistic, at this point, that a deal will get done, but he’s been in a similar position before eventually signing before the season. It’s a complicated issue with Heyward being the face of the franchise, but he is coming off two groin surgeries over five months and is a shell of himself. At 35, not many comps are around for his position, further complicating the issue.”

Heyward tore groin early in Steelers season opener last September

So it’s about Heyward’s age and physical shape. Up until last season, no one questioned whether Heyward could get it done for the Steel Curtain Defense. The former first-round pick from Ohio State made six straight Pro Bowls from 2017-22. And for three of those seasons, he earned All Pro honors playing a position coveted by the NFL. It’s difficult to find an interior defensive lineman who can effectively rush the quarterback.

Then last season happened. Four months after his 34th birthday, he tore his groin muscle 14 defensive snaps into the season opener. Heyward needed surgery and the Steelers placed him on injured reserve. He returned Nov. 1. Then days after he earned the Walter Payton Man of the Year award at NFL Honors, Heyward underwent another surgery to do some cleanup on his groin.

He acknowledged he wasn’t at top form in 2023, sharing on social media “done doing stuff on one leg that guys were doing on two legs. Lol. Can’t wait to get back to myself.”

Heyward is in his final season of a contract he signed in September, 2020. He and the Steelers agreed to a four-year extension worth $64 million. Pittsburgh likely wants to see whether Heyward can return to his old form before committing to a multi-year offer.

As for Heyward, after a brief boycott of OTAs, he came back to the team.

“I’m looking to be here,” the Steelers defensive tackle told reporters. “I want to be valued at my position. … I think when I’m at the top of my game, I’m still a top-5 player at my position.”