Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward is not looking to make any demands as he hopes for a new contract.
Heyward–who will be a free agent after the 2020 season–reiterated he would like to remain with the Steelers, but also acknowledged Pittsburgh still has to fulfill a number of other financial commitments.
Cam Heyward asked about contract talk: I would love for it get done, but obviously it hasn't. It's not really much more that I can go about with everything going on, I just have to be patient. Besides my contract, there's a lot of other people who have to get signed, the rookies.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) June 18, 2020
Heyward's previous deal with the Steelers paid him at an annual average value of nearly $10 million per year. But given his recent production, the veteran is almost certainly in line for a raise.
The 31-year-old has been one of the best interior linemen in football in the last three seasons. Heyward has been named to three consecutive Pro Bowls, and he was also named first-team All-Pro in both 2017 and 2019.
More notably, the 2019 season was Heyward's best. He finished the year with a career-high 83 combined tackles and 23 quarterback hits to go along with 9.0 sacks and six passes defended.
There are some concerns the coronavirus pandemic and the impact COVID-19 will have on revenue and the future salary cap. But Heyward says he understands this is an unprecedented situation for the Steelers and other teams around the league (via Joe Rutter of Trib Live):
“Early on, it was just wait here and see what happens,” Heyward said. “Everything has been halted. It definitely has halted regular NFL operations. We understand that. We understand this is uncharted territory. Football is going to pick up, and we have to be ready either way.”
Still, even if the cap is in dire straits next year, the Steelers would do well to re-sign Heyward.
Pittsburgh's defense is arguably the best in the NFL, having led the league in sacks last season while also ranking third in DVOA, per Football Outsiders.
Heyward is a critical piece of that unit, and plays a pivotal role in Pittsburgh's Super Bowl hopes heading into the season.
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