Some surprising information broke on Wednesday night time about Steelers veteran defensive sort out Cameron Heyward.
In response to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Heyward has not attended voluntary offseason exercises and doesn’t plan to attend OTAs as he seeks a contract extension, getting into the ultimate yr of his four-year, $64 million extension he signed in September 2020.
Heyward, who’s a longtime crew captain and was simply named the 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Yr, has since damaged his silence.
“Initially, it is voluntary. Let’s get that straight. I am figuring out, doing every thing,” Heyward mentioned on his “Not Simply Soccer” podcast. “I’ve at all times attended these, however at the moment, it is simply contract negotiations, and I wish to be a Pittsburgh Steeler, however we’ll see what occurs.”
Heyward has spent his total 13-year NFL profession in Pittsburgh, and it will be shocking if he wore something aside from the black and gold earlier than hanging up his cleats for good.
Nonetheless, if he overestimates his worth, his contract holdout may lengthen into the summer time, leaving his future with the crew doubtful.
Heyward is 35 and coming off an injury-riddled season wherein he tore his groin and had core muscle surgical procedure. He completed the yr with simply 33 tackles and two sacks in 11 video games.
The six-time Professional Bowler even debated retirement following the Steelers’ loss to the Buffalo Payments within the wild-card spherical of the playoffs final season however has since revealed he believes he has loads of gasoline left within the tank.
“My objective is to play two to a few extra years. Largely three,” Heyward instructed Alan Saunders of Steelers Now. “I am on the lookout for a chance. We’ll see what occurs. I would prefer it to be right here, however my objective is to play. So we’ll see.”
Solely time will inform if Pittsburgh will give Heyward the long-term dedication he desires. He does not appear all in favour of taking a hometown low cost, both.
