Steelers’ Cam Heyward names his price in contract talks, ‘I want to be valued at my position’
In a surprise move, when the Pittsburgh Steelers kicked off week three of OTAs on Tuesday, Cam Heyward was among the players participating. Ending his hiatus as he attempted to gain leverage for his contract situation, the Captain of the team couldn't stay away any longer. But when answering questions in his first podium appearance […]
In a surprise move, when the Pittsburgh Steelers kicked off week three of OTAs on Tuesday, Cam Heyward was among the players participating.
Ending his hiatus as he attempted to gain leverage for his contract situation, the Captain of the team couldn't stay away any longer.
But when answering questions in his first podium appearance of the offseason, Heyward made it clear that he still wants an extension, and leaned into what that would cost Pittsburgh:
Cam Heyward Returns to OTAs
“I want to be valued at my position, said Heyward in response to a question about what he's looking for in a new contract. "I understand I came off a rough season, but I don’t think it’s a step down of where I can play. When I’m at the top of my game, I’m still a top-five player at my position. I play the run and the pass. I bring leadership.”
Heyward's "rough season" was due in large part to missing six weeks after suffering a core muscle injury during Week 1's contest against the 49ers. Heyward returned later in the season but he would go on to say he was "playing on one leg."
Even still, his insertion back into the defensive line rotation brought significant gains in the team's run support and as he alluded to, his leadership is second to none as the captain of the team.
And because of that, he believes he's in line for an extension as he approaches the final year of his contract.
So when Heyward says, "I want to be valued at my position," what he's saying is, instead of being ranked 17th in average salary per year, or 15th in total contract value (his current rank) he would like to be closer to the top 10.
Those numbers look more like $70-$90m in total value and an average of over $20m per year for the life of the deal.
The problem is, Pittsburgh, as much as they appreciate Heyward, are unlikely to shell out that kind of money to a 35-year-old with 13 accrued seasons coming off of surgery.
“There’s been communication, but there’s nothing to really report on that right now,” Heyward said when asked about how the contract talks are going. “I don’t think a deal gets done tomorrow; I’ll tell you that. But you know, there’s been communication, and we’ll see where it takes us.”
Heyward is set to make $22.4m in 2024.
Stars are beginning to align regarding a Pittsburgh Steelers’ trade for 49ers WR Deebo Samuel
The phones are ringing.
