The Pittsburgh Steelers have given star defensive lineman Cameron Hayward an extension that will keep in Pittsburgh through 2024. This news was broken first by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Steelers and Cam Heyward finalizing a four-year extension with a total value of $71.4-million, sources tell ESPN. Negotiated by @PerrettM of Element Sports.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) September 7, 2020
The Steelers drafted Heyward out of Ohio state in the 2011 NFL Draft and he has been a large part of their defense since.
According to PFF Hayward was a top-two graded interior defensive lineman over the past three seasons. During that time he has racked up 29 sacks, 179 tackles and 37 tackles for loss. Hayward is also a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time First-Team All-Pro.
Heyward is arguably the most important player on the Steelers’ elite defense. Pittsburgh had a valid case for the best defense in the league last year as they almost carried a well-bellow average offense to the playoffs last season. Locking him up long term was extremely important for the team’s short and long term future.
At age 31 Heyward is likely receiving his last long term big money deal of his career. The Steelers got him at market price paying around $17.9 million per year. That ranks fourth among interior defensive lineman between Chris Jones and Kenny Clark.
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