The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed Pro Bowl defensive tackle Cam Heyward to a new three-year, $45 million contract, which will save the team over $9 million against the salary cap this season, according to sources.
Heyward will receive $16 million guaranteed as part of the new deal, matching his scheduled 2024 base salary, which has now been converted into a signing bonus.
Entering his 14th season with the Steelers, Heyward was in the final year of a five-year, $65.6 million contract he signed in 2020. At 35, he remains the highest-paid interior defensive lineman over 31 in the NFL.
The Steelers, who traditionally avoid contract negotiations during the regular season, hope to finalize a new deal with tight end Pat Freiermuth—currently the lowest-paid starting tight end in the league—before Sunday’s game in Atlanta. Freiermuth is in the last year of his four-year rookie deal and is set to become an unrestricted free agent.
Heyward, drafted by Pittsburgh in the first round in 2011, has consistently expressed his desire to retire as a Steeler but also stated his willingness to play elsewhere if a new contract wasn’t offered. Although he is coming off an injury-plagued 2023 season, dealing with groin and knee issues, he has declared himself fully recovered and ready to return to the form that earned him six Pro Bowl and three All-Pro selections.
The 6-foot-5, 295-pound defensive lineman has played all 194 career games in Pittsburgh, totaling 80.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, and two interceptions.
Despite missing preseason games to stay fresh for the regular season, Heyward appeared in 11 games last year, recording 25 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks, and a pass deflection. He posted a career-high 10.5 sacks two seasons ago, with 20.5 combined sacks in 2021 and 2022 before injuries hampered his 2023 performance.
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