It’s apparent that the Pittsburgh Steelers want veteran defensive tackle Cameron Heyward to retire a Steeler.
The 31-year-old defender has signed a four-year contract extension with the team worth a total of $71.4 million.
Since Heyward signed a six-year extension back in 2016 for $59.2 million, he will be making $75.1 million over the next five years, with money from the earlier deal carrying over into the new one.
Heyward has spent his entire career with the Steelers, who drafted him with the 31st overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft.
The new deal makes him the highest-paid defensive player over 30 in the NFL.
Heyward is a key cog in the Pittsburgh defense, which is currently one of the best in the league. Last year, the defensive unit almost single-handedly kept the team’s playoff hopes alive until the last week of the season, allowing only 18.9 points per game.
Heyward has made the Pro Bowl in each of his last three years and was named an All-Pro first-teamer in 2017 and 2019.
One of the most efficient defenders on the team when it comes to disrupting the passing game, Heyward was second on the team with six pass breakups and third with nine sacks in 2019.
