The Pittsburgh Steelers made a few significant offseason moves and should be poised to make a run at the playoffs in 20224.
The franchise parted ways with Kenny Pickett, who was supposed to be the next franchise QB and found a way to land two potential high-level starting QBs for almost nothing. Both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields have proven they can play at a high level and the Steelers gave up little to nothing to bring in the new QB duo.
The Steelers have the longest-tenured head coach in the NFL, and their lead man is now going to be with them at least through the 2027 season. On Monday, the franchise announced that they had signed head coach Mike Tomlin to a three-year contract extension.
“Mike Tomlin’s leadership and commitment to the Steelers have been pivotal to our success during his first 17 years as head coach,” Steelers President Art Rooney II said in a statement. “Extending his contract for three more years reflects our confidence in his ability to guide the team back to winning playoff games and championships, while continuing our tradition of success.”
Tomlin coached the Pittsburgh Steelers to a Super Bowl XLIII victory in 2009, when he became the youngest NFL head coach to win a Super Bowl at the time. He is 173-100-2 as Pittsburgh’s lead man, and famously has never registered a losing season in 17 straight years, which is an NFL record.
While there were other significant moves made this offseason, the Steelers defense has always been the team’s bread and butter. One of the biggest pieces on the Pittsburgh defense for more than a decade is DL Cam Heyward.
The Pittsburgh Steelers and defensive tackle Cam Heyward have been synonymous for more than a decade since the NFL franchise selected the former Ohio State star in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
It’s rare for a NFL player to put together a career that lasts more than 10 years in the NFL, but it’s even more rare to spend 13 seasons with the same team. Heyward just wrapped up his 13th campaign — and despite recent injury issues — the Steelers big man continues to prove he can play at a high level when healthy and doesn’t appear to have any plans on walking away from his career with the Steelers anytime soon.
But the front office could have other plans.
On September 6, 2020, Heyward signed a four-year, $65.6 million contract extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
From 2018 to 2022, Heyward solidified himself as one of the most dominant defensive tackles in the NFL. In four out of those five seasons, he recorded at least eight sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and three or more pass deflections. He was also named as one of the Top 100 players in the NFL six consecutive seasons in a row from 2017-2022.
But heading into the final year of his contract and no indication that another extension is coming yet, Heyward is pondering the reality that he might have to play elsewhere for the first time in his career following the 2024 season.
Pittsburgh Steelers Star Cam Heyward Threatens To Play For Cleveland Browns After 2024
Heyward is on the final year of his deal with the Steelers. The All-Pro defensive lineman hasn’t shied away from making his demands known.
“I want to be valued at my position,” Heyward said on June 4, per Steelers.com’s Dale Lolley. “I understand I am coming off a rough season, but I don’t think it’s a step down of where I can play. I think when I’m at the top of my game, I’m still a top-five player at my position.”
With that said, the Pittsburgh Steelers star understands that the NFL is a business, and for that reason, he’s not going to close the door on any potential suitors.
“I have talked to my wife, and we know the reality, and we have had those talks, and she said it could be fun to play somewhere else,” Heyward said, via Mark Kaboly of The Athletic. “If that is what is needed to be done, then so be it.”
Heyward then hinted at the possibility of him suiting up for the Cleveland Browns.
“I still have family in Cleveland … my wife is from Cleveland. We will see. I am not trying to think about all that right now.”
Just the thought of Heyward playing for the Browns probably has Pittsburgh Steelers fans ready to pass out.
Since joining the Steelers in 2011, Heyward has racked up 647 career tackles, 179 QB hits and 80.5 sacks. It’d be a shame if he finishes his career playing for a division rival.
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