Getty ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on May 15 that Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward doesn't plan to attend offseason workouts as he seeks a new contract.
According to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward has never missed an offseason program. But he apparently will in 2024.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on May 15 that Heyward “has not attended voluntary offseason workouts” this year and doesn’t “plan to attend OTAs” as he desires to sign a new contract with the team.
“Heyward plans to play several more years and is healthy from last year’s core muscle injury, a source told Fowler,” wrote Pryor.
Heyward’s current deal expires at the end of the 2024 season.
Drafted at No. 31 overall in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft, Heyward has played his entire career with the Steelers. He’s made first-team All-Pro three times and second-team All-Pro once. Heyward is also a five-time Pro Bowler.
But he missed making the Pro Bowl last season for the first time since 2016. Heyward, though, dealt with a groin injury from the beginning of 2023 training camp and through the team’s playoff appearance.
Overall, Heyward posted 2 sacks with 33 combined tackles, including 6 tackles for loss in 11 games last season.
How a Cameron Heyward Contract Extension Could Benefit Steelers
Contract holdouts are never a good thing from a team perspective. But in this case, it could actually benefit the Steelers to give Heyward a new deal.
Heyward is set to count as a $22.4 million cap hit this fall. That cap hit is ranked sixth-highest among all NFL defensive linemen for the 2024 season.
The Steelers could potentially lower that hit, creating more cap space with a Heyward extension. While Heyward turned 35 on May 6, an extension makes sense because Heyward has expressed a desire throughout this offseason to play beyond 2024 and even 2025.
Heyward has gotten healthy. He underwent groin surgery on February 19.
Staying healthy will be key for Heyward playing multiple more seasons in the league. And hopefully when healthy, the 35-year-old can return to his former Pro Bowl or All-Pro level.
“I fully expect when I do play, to be playing at a higher level than I played this past year,” Heyward said on the Not Just Football podcast on January 18. “I don’t think I’m falling off a cliff yet. There’s a lot more I can do and a lot more that I need to do in this game before I retire.
“I’m not ready to write the ending just yet.”
Why Steelers Might Be Wary of Heyward Extension
While a Heyward extension makes sense, if the Steelers were interested in one, they probably would have offered the veteran an extension already.
The extra 2024 cap space the Steelers will clear with a Heyward extension won’t be of much use now. Most of the top free agents have signed with new teams, especially potential starting wide receivers, which is Pittsburgh’s biggest remaining need.
The Steelers may also not be interested in an extension for a veteran coming off major surgery. Heyward is now on the wrong side of 35. It’s going to get harder for him to stay completely healthy and return to full strength after injury.
Heyward undoubtably played hurt in 2023. But even at full strength this fall, he might not be a Pro Bowler again.
The Steelers may decide to be prudent and wait to see how Heyward performs before giving him an extension. If that’s the organization’s decision, though, Heyward and the team could be headed for a messy summer holdout.