Steelers' hesitancy to extend Cam Heyward gets a bode of confidence from the rest of the NFL
When healthy, it's irresponsible not to mention Pittsburgh Steelers DT Cam Heyward among the best at his position. That's the whole reason behind his current contractual impasse, as he and his representation think he can still be among the top at his position and should be compensated as such. But the Steelers are at least […]
When healthy, it's irresponsible not to mention Pittsburgh Steelers DT Cam Heyward among the best at his position.
That's the whole reason behind his current contractual impasse, as he and his representation think he can still be among the top at his position and should be compensated as such.
But the Steelers are at least hesitant to give Heyward the extension he wants, and following a poll of executives, coaches, and scouts around the league, it looks like the rest of the NFL has their back.
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Heyward wasn't among the cream of the crop at his position according to NFL personnel members, with ESPN's Jeremy Fowler including him among the honorable mentions.
Still a very good all-around player with power, and an obvious locker room leader. Age is a factor [35] but [he] has to be accounted for on every snap, still very powerful." — NFL coordinator via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN
Heyward's main reasoning behind his want to play for another two to three seasons is the very power that the coordinator is speaking to. Heyward cited powerlifters and their longevity, saying that when his power goes, his game will follow and that's when he will hang up his cleats.
"My game is different from everybody else in this league," Heyward told Dale Lolley of Steelers.com "I like to think I can play the run and the pass. And that's why I'm different. Last year Mike (Tomlin) brought to my attention, the thing that's really cool is you watch powerlifters, and my game is built on power and technique. And (powerlifters) go into their 40s. And so, you know, that's what kind of research I'm doing behind the scenes."
The issue is, Heyward believes he should be paid among the best at his position, but Pittsburgh's front office may not be that bullish on Heyward's future.
If you take his injury-riddled 2023 campaign out of the equation, you will see a six-year run of Pro Bowls and All-Pro teams between 2017 and 2022. So he certainly has solid ground to stand on.
But the NFL is a, "What have you done for me lately kind of league?" And perhaps even more of a, "What will you do for me in the future kind of league?" So Pittsburgh isn't wrong to hesitate, opting to wait and see how things go in 2024. And Heyward isn't wrong to seek security.
But someone will have to blink, especially if the two sides are to come to a deal before the season starts.
The rest of the NFL just told you the Steelers made the right move regarding Najee Harris’ future
Might take some heat off Pittsburgh.
