Cam Heyward never really sounded any alarms, but the Steelers legend has made his viewpoint clear: He would like a new contract.
As far as we know, a new deal has yet to materialize, but after skipping the opening of OTAs, the 35-year-old was on the scene Tuesday for team workouts, according to Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Gerry Dulac.
Heyward is in the final season of a four-year, $64 million deal he signed at the start of the 2020 season. He carries a cap hit just north of $22 million this season, and it could benefit both sides to find some common ground on a new deal that could secure his future and lower the number moving.
It’s not surprising finding common ground in that regard has taken some time, though. Heyward is 35, and he’s coming off a season in which he played just 11 games. It’s only the second time and first since 2016 he failed to appear in at least 15 games. When he was healthy, Heyward wasn’t as productive as years past, suggesting a potential dropoff. He registered just two sacks (his lowest since 2012) and 25 solo tackles (six for loss). He failed to make the Pro Bowl for the first time since that injury-shortened 2016 season.
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Of course, Heyward’s impact goes beyond the numbers, and given how important he is to the team on and off the field plus his desire to remain with the team, it does seem like failure to reach a deal would be a surprise. Tuesday’s appearance helps reinforce that notion.
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