Cam Heyward came back to work on Tuesday, joining the first practice of the third week of organized team activities for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
But don’t think his presence means he’s close to getting a new contract. The defensive tackle, who has been with the team for a long time, is in the final year of his current deal. He usually attends these optional practices, but he skipped the first two weeks.
Even though Heyward has been talking with the Steelers during the offseason, he doesn’t think they’re close to reaching a deal.
“I just want to stay here, but we’ll see what happens,” said Heyward. He plans to attend next week’s mandatory practice and show up on time for training camp in late July. “This is my last year here. I’ve had a great career here, but I’m excited to play next year.”
Heyward had a tough time on the field last year, missing six games due to a groin injury he got in the first game against San Francisco. He had surgery to fix it and wasn’t as effective when he came back. He only got two sacks, which is his lowest since he became a regular starter ten years ago.
But off the field, things were different. Heyward won the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award last season for his charity work.
He’s set to make $16 million this season, with a cap hit of over $22 million. Heyward said last year that he wasn’t interested in taking a pay cut and now thinks he can play for at least three more years.
