Steelers’ Exec Explains Workforce’s Thought Course of Extending Cam Heyward

Although it appears apparent now, this time one 12 months in the past, there was a heated debate over whether or not Pittsburgh Steelers’ defensive lineman Cam Heyward would and may obtain a contract extension. Coming off his worst season as a consequence of a groin damage suffered within the 2023 season opener, Heyward was approaching his mid-30s—a time when most gamers, particularly these within the trenches, are steadily declining.

So it was controversial when Pittsburgh prolonged Heyward on a three-year, $45 million contract days earlier than the 2024 season started. Although the deal carried loads of “outs” and safety for the Steelers, it was nonetheless a present of religion in what Heyward might do.

Heyward rewarded the possibility. He roared again with one in every of his greatest seasons, ending with 71 tackles and eight sacks together with Professional Bowl and All-Professional honors. Given his place and age, calling it historic isn’t hyperbole.

Reflecting again on the deal, the Steelers’ Director of Professional Scouting mentioned the workforce’s thought course of and, extra usually, how you can know when a veteran participant remains to be price paying.

“A pair years in the past, Cam Heyward has been improbable for us,” White advised Raiders’ beat author Hondo Carpenter on his YouTube channel. “Then he received injured. When he got here again from damage, he toughed it out. You’re watching him on the finish of the 12 months, you’re like, how are you? Your efficiency was down since you have been nicked. So is he nicked and nonetheless good? Or is he coming again and going to be a dude?

“Final 12 months, we gave him cash, we paid him. As a result of he’s Cam Heyward, he’s Mr. Captain. He does all that different stuff proper. He’s a terrific Steeler. He comes again and has one other Professional Bowl season at 35-ish years. We love the man. Love him within the locker room. Does all the opposite stuff proper. Has all of the intangibles, and he can nonetheless play.”

White wasn’t in control of making the choice, although his function as a professional scout is to judge different potential choices Pittsburgh might have, and if Heyward’s market worth made sense.

Clearly, Heyward the particular person helped incentivize Pittsburgh to pay Heyward the participant. An extended-time captain, Walter Payton Man of the Yr award winner, chief, and face of the franchise. Extending Heyward gave him the possibility to be a uncommon “one-helmet” participant, spending his complete profession with the workforce that drafted him. Given his success in 2024, he has a powerful likelihood of enjoying out his contract by way of 2026.

Heyward’s success bolstered his Corridor of Fame possibilities. Previous to 2024, his Canton possibilities felt borderline. With extra accolades so as to add to his resume and shutting in on 90 sacks, he might cement his possibilities with two extra high quality seasons.

Whereas Cam Heyward is an anomaly, White stated these are choices each common supervisor and workforce should make every offseason.

“All that stuff goes by way of your head when you’re balancing it,” White stated. “Is that this man nonetheless going, or did he have a foul 12 months? Was he nicked? Is he wholesome? And the way does he examine to everybody else across the league, and what do we’ve to pay that man?”

How properly groups make these judgment calls contributes to the workforce’s success. Hold onto a participant too lengthy or hand out a foul contract, and it’ll really feel like an anchor across the workforce’s neck. Pittsburgh has gotten it mistaken earlier than and can once more sooner or later, however each franchise does. Nevertheless, they nailed it with Cam Heyward, who’s proving to be one in every of soccer’s unicorns.