Longtime Steelers DT Cameron Heyward hints contract extension is coming

Following the Pittsburgh Steelers' loss to the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round of the playoffs last season, defensive tackle Cameron Heyward seemed uncertain about his football future.

However, after some time to think things over, he revealed he was, in fact, planning to run it in 2024.

"I'm not retiring. I hate to be blunt about it, but I'm not retiring," Heyward said on his "Not Just Football with Cam Heyward" podcast. "I would like to get my body healthy. I just played an entire season on one freaking leg where I could barely run right after the season."

Once Heyward decided to continue playing football, the next question raised was how much longer he hoped to play.

Heyward, who turned 35 earlier this month and is heading into the final year of his four-year, $65 million contract, answered that exact question on Saturday.

"We've talked about an extension," Heyward told Alan Saunders of Steelers Now. "We'll see what happens. My goal is to play two to three more years. Mostly three. I'm looking for an opportunity. We'll see what happens. I'd like it to be here, but my goal is to play. So we'll see."

It seems Heyward is hoping to receive a two-year extension with Pittsburgh. The main query now is, are the Steelers willing to hand the veteran, who is coming off a torn groin and core muscle surgery, that type of commitment?

Heyward was able to return last season, but he wasn't the same player he was before the injury. He finished the year with just 33 tackles and two sacks in 11 games.

Nonetheless, Heyward has been arguably the biggest leader in the Steelers' locker room as a team captain and the 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.

A contract extension could also reduce Heyward's 2024 salary cap hit, leaving Pittsburgh with more funds to make another splash move ahead of the season.

The Steelers don't negotiate with players in-season, so there will be an answer to that question sometime this summer.