Pittsburgh Steelers DL Cam Heyward got a new contract this offseason that gave him a pay increase for the 2025 season. On his Not Just Football podcast, Heyward discussed his new deal and explained why he wanted to get it done sooner rather than later.
“It was something that I did want to get handled so I could just focus on this offseason and being the best player I can be and the best teammate and the best leader. And being a steward and a servant to what Coach McCarthy wants to do. I don’t want to be in the way, I don’t want to be a distraction. I think both sides knew that and we were able to accomplish something rather fast. And I do think I was deserving of it, but that’s not why I wanted to bring it up. There’s bigger stuff we can accomplish if my stuff’s out of the way.”
This is now the third offseason in a row that Heyward has gotten a new contract. He signed an extension prior to the 2024 season, then went and had one of the best seasons of his career, and he and the team revised the deal right on the heels of Week 1. After another strong season, Heyward gets more money upfront and another year tacked onto the deal if he decides to play beyond 2026.
It wasn’t any sort of drastic increase for Heyward, and it’s good business for the Steelers to get something done quickly and keep one of its best players happy. Heyward is coming off a second-team All-Pro season after being named a first-team All-Pro in 2024, and he remains Pittsburgh’s beast and most important defensive lineman. With a new coaching staff in place, Heyward gets a pay bump, stays happy and can be the leader the Steelers need him to be throughout the offseason.
Heyward deserved a new deal last year, but his training camp hold-in for a new deal rubbed some fans the wrong way and was a bit of a distraction. There’s not going to be any of that to worry about this year, and the new coaching staff can get to work without fear that there’s going to be any contract disputes that take away from the work on the field.
As Heyward said, once they take care of his deal, they can move on to building out the rest of the roster, be it free agent signings or other extensions for players such as Joey Porter Jr. and Darnell Washington. Both should be in line for an extension this offseason.
Give Heyward credit for his candor in talking about his new extension. He was clear that he wanted and felt he deserved a new deal, and credited the team for taking care of him. Now, both sides can check that box off and Heyward can focus on leading the Steelers on and off the field.
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