Steelers: Cam Heyward Signed to a Six-Year Contract

The Steelers signed Cameron Heyward to a six-year, $59.2 million contract through 2020. He is coming off his best season after recording 53 tackles and 7.5 sacks in 2014. He moved into the starting lineup in 2013 after injuries to longtime starter Brett Keisel and the ineffectiveness of another first-round pick at defensive end, Ziggy Hood from Missouri.

The team accomplished that Thursday, signing the 26-year-old to a six-year deal that will pay him almost $60 million.

Heyward’s future never really was in doubt. While Heyward never let it be a distraction to him, his focus always exclusively on football, he was asked about entering the past year of his rookie contract throughout the Steelers offseason.

Cam Heyward’s role on the defense could see a dramatic upswing this fall, as new coordinator Keith Butler plans to unleash his ends for more pass rushing than was allowed under Dick LeBeau.

Heyward is now the NFL’s 11 highest paid defensive end and it goes without saying that he is a critical part of this team and defense, now in a transition to a new generation. Heyward posted on Twitter after the new deal was announced. He’s a 3-4 end, who is responsible for taking on double-teams so the linebackers behind him can blow through gaps and make plays in the offensive backfield. The offense is elite (the unit ranked second last season behind only Aaron Rodgers and the Packers), and we’ve seen plenty of teams hoist a Lombardi Trophy with a potent, high-scoring offense and a defense that does just enough.

And if Heyward takes ownership of the defense like the Steelers hope he will, this contract will look modest in a few years.

“I think we have the talent, we have shown it in our efforts”.

Contract year or not, Heyward was eyeing a career-defining season.

Now, onward to Kelvin Beachum. I grew up admiring the Steelers. Craig Heyward died in 2006.