The Pittsburgh Steelers signed franchise stalwart and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Cam Heyward to a three-year contract on Tuesday.
Heyward and the Steelers announced the news but not the terms. ESPN reports The deal is for $45 million over three years, with $29 million in new money and $16 million guaranteed. Guaranteed money, as with most NFL contracts, is key. At 35, Heyward is not expected to play out the contract.
But the contract states that Heyward will retire with the Steelers after 13 seasons with the franchise. Heyward joined the Steelers as a first-round pick in 2011 and has remained in Pittsburgh ever since.
“There are some players that wear one helmet,” Heyward said, according to a team statement. “I want to be one of those players that wears one helmet.”
Heyward shared an image on social media of himself smiling and signing the paperwork.
Can Heyward get back into form?
The Steelers are banking on Heyward returning to form after a groin injury limited him to 11 games last season. He was projected to miss 9-12 weeks after suffering the injury in Week 1. He returned after missing six games, but his performance suffered. He was limited to two sacks and 35 tackles in 11 games.
Prior to his injury, Heyward had his best NFL seasons in the second half of his career. He was selected to the Pro Bowl six consecutive times from 2017-22, including a 2022 campaign in which he racked up 74 tackles, 10.5 sacks and 23 quarterback hits. He was a four-time All-Pro during that span, including two first-team selections.
He returns to a Steelers team in transition and at risk of posting the first losing record of coach Mike Tomlin’s career. Pittsburgh has Russell Wilson as its starting quarterback this season after parting ways with former first-round pick Kenny Pickett. It’s playing in a tough AFC North with the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns projected to compete for a playoff spot.