Cam Heyward’s absence from OTAs may be doing more harm than good in quest for contract extension with Steelers
For Cameron Heyward, the Pittsburgh Steelers will always be home. One of the most impactful players in franchise history when analyzing his play on the field and efforts off of it, no one will rival Captain Cam's tenure. But as he seeks a contract extension, separating himself from the team may be doing more harm […]
For Cameron Heyward, the Pittsburgh Steelers will always be home.
One of the most impactful players in franchise history when analyzing his play on the field and efforts off of it, no one will rival Captain Cam's tenure.
But as he seeks a contract extension, separating himself from the team may be doing more harm than good when you see who is stepping up in his absence:
Keeanu Benton Making Noise during Heyward's absence
"I'm just being myself," Benton told Brooke Pryor of ESPN. "Guys gravitate towards me because of who I am. [They] ask me questions. I don't mind answering them. I answer 'em honestly. It's nice to have a different rookie [Logan Lee] in the class. That's really the guy who asks the most questions to me. And then just being able to be a different voice in the locker room, breaking down huddles and stuff like that. [Heyward's absence] Just gives me more opportunities to be heard and pick up my role."
Look, no one thinks Benton is suddenly going to be the captain of the defense with Heyward being away from the team. In the end, if Heyward were to miss, even mandatory minicamp per se, he is still under contract for the 2024 season, meaning his captaincy and role along the defensive line is solidified through January.
But after that, your guess is as good as mine. Both sides would love to see Heyward finish his career in Pittsburgh. The Steelers could have asked him to take a pay cut off his hefty, $22.4m cap hit this upcoming season, but given their respect for him, they didn't.
Now, how willing they are to sign him to the three-year extension he is seeking is something entirely different. Heyward is 35 now, and while he has shown little signs of slowing down, the core muscle surgery that forced him to miss over six weeks last offseason is certainly in the front of the minds of those calling the shots on the Southside.
So for Benton, he's relishing in the opportunity. With a full-time role in 2024, I firmly believe he can be one of the best, if not the best nose tackle in the entire NFL.
But that only happens if one of the best interior linemen to ever play is lined up next to him.
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A night and day difference.
