Cameron

Heyward

The deal for the veteran includes $29 million in new money with $16 million fully guaranteed. The deal keeps Heyward in Pittsburgh for the foreseeable future where he will continue to be one of the faces of the franchise. Hayward is entering his age-35 season.

Currently in search of a new contract from the Steelers, Heyward said last week that he and his wife had discussed the possibility of needing to play elsewhere if he doesn’t re-sign with the Steelers beyond this season. Heyward, 35, appeared in 11 games for the Steelers last season, totaling two sacks and six TFLs. He combined for 20.5 sacks and 29 TFLs from 2021-2022, but he’s well past the age where we begin to see players decline. Heyward skipped OTAs but was present at minicamp, so we wouldn’t expect a holdout when training camp ramps up next month. With that said, we could be looking at the final season in Pittsburgh for a player who has long been a staple along the Steelers’ defensive interior.

Heyward has not attended voluntary offseason workouts and looks to sit out OTAs as he awaits a contract extension. The six-time Pro Bowler is entering the final season of a four-year, $65 million contract. He has been with the Steelers since getting drafted in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Heyward just turned 35 and is a three-time first-team All-Pro, though his 2023 season was plagued by injury. He appeared in 11 games, tallying two sacks and winning the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for his off-the-field work. Fowler notes that Heyward has never missed an offseason program. The Steelers will work to get an extension done with a mainstay of their defense for over the last decade.

Heyward went down with the groin injury in Week 1 and has been on injured reserve ever since. The Steelers still had a nasty one-two punch with T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith in Heyward’s absence. Adding the six-time Pro Bowl attendee back into the mix will make their defense even more formidable. Heyward has at least 10 sacks in each of his past two seasons.

That’s now two full practices in a row for Heyward, who is still technically on the IR. The Steelers have until 4pm on Thursday in order to activate Heyward so that he can play on Thursday against the Titans. His return would be a massive boost for a defensive line set to take on Derrick Henry.

Heyward is coming dangerously close to returning from injured reserve, and could be active as early as Thursday night against the Titans. The Veteran defensive tackle saw his 21 day window for return open last week and participated in two practices last week. We’ll see if he’s carrying a designation heading into Thursday, but he’s trending in the right direction.

The Steelers opened Heyward’s 21 day window for return, giving them up to three weeks to decide on when it is best to activate him to the 53-man roster. Heyward underwent groin surgery in mid-September and was projected to miss eight weeks. The Pro Bowl defensive tackle will provide a boost to a defense that’s allowing the third-most yards per game (383.5) through the first seven weeks.

It’s a major blow to a Steelers defense that was dominated by Brock Purdy and the 49ers in Week 1. Heyward, who has back to back seasons with at least 10 sacks, will likely be sidelined until November. “Losing Cam (Heyward) is significant,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said. “Replacing Cam is not a one man job. It’s a multiple man job — and a coach’s job.” His absence is a big boost for the Browns offense in Week 2. Heyward has terrorized the Browns in recent seasons.

Heyward left in the second quarter of Sunday’s game against the 49ers and was ruled out early in the third quarter. The veteran lineman has missed two games since the 2016 season, but will now miss multiple weeks with his latest injury. Heyward has totaled back-to-back 10 sack seasons for the Steelers, and remains a valuable member of the team’s pass rush.

Heyward was ruled out soon after halftime. He has not missed a game since 2020 and has missed only two since 2016. The quick rule out does not bode well for his Week 2 status, however. The 34-year-old remains an impact pass rusher for Mike Tomlin’s defense.