Steelers veteran defensive tackle Cameron Heyward is seeking a contract extension heading into the final year of his current deal.
The six-time Pro Bowler sat out the first two weeks of OTAs in hopes of forcing Pittsburgh’s hand in giving him some long-term security, but that is not how things have played out.
Last month, Heyward revealed that while he has had conversations about a contract extension, nothing is imminent.
“There’s been communication but there’s nothing really to report on right now,” Heyward stated. “I don’t think a deal gets done tomorrow, I’ll tell you that.”
So has anything changed in the past few weeks?
It doesn’t seem like it as the 35-year-old lacked a positive update on the situation Wednesday.
“I don’t wanna say how likely something is ’cause you just never know,” Heyward said on “The Jim Rome Show.” “Obviously, I would love to be a Pittsburgh Steeler for the rest of my career. Getting a contract would lay claim to that. My goal is to be a Pittsburgh Steeler this year and have a good year to hopefully come back and play more games with them.”
Heyward is coming off a down year in which he registered just 33 tackles and two sacks in 11 games while battling a lingering groin injury, but he believes he still has plenty left in the tank.
“I want to be valued at my position. I understand I came off [a] rough season, but I don’t think it’s a step down from where I can play,” Heyward added. “I think I’m at the top of my game. I’m still a top-five player at my position.”
That could be why the two sides have been unable to reach an agreement.
Of course, the Steelers would love to have their longtime team captain and 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year back, but it must be a fair price for a player entering his 14th season in the league.
The two sides still seem to be somewhat optimistic that they will figure something out, but if not, the 2024 season could be Heyward’s farewell tour in Pittsburgh.