Earlier this month, we learned that there have been no recent contract talks between the Steelers and star defensive lineman Cameron Heyward, who is entering the final season of his current deal. Mark Kaboly of The Athletic believes Pittsburgh should make Heyward its top priority, even ahead of some of its younger talent that will be due for extensions soon, but that could be a tall order.
For one, the Steelers always spend to the cap and often push money into future seasons in order to stay cap compliant. As Kaboly observes, the team pushed $21MM of salary into the 2021 season, with the expectation that the salary cap would increase by at least $15MM next year. But the 2021 cap may be reduced as a result of the pandemic, which could put Pittsburgh in a bind.
Secondly, even without the pandemic, the club may have found it tough to keep the 31-year-old Heyward in the fold. A source tells Kaboly that Heyward could fetch Aaron Donald money on the open market, due to his overall excellent play and his ability to line up both inside and outside (plus, in 2019, Heyward graded out as Pro Football Focus’ second-best interior defender, behind only Donald himself). Heyward’s age could limit his payday a bit, but he is only two years older than Donald, who is playing on a six-year, $135MM deal that included $50MM guaranteed at signing. Though it would be surprising to see Heyward cash in to that degree, his next contract will certainly be massive in its own right, so the Steelers may have no other choice but to look elsewhere.
Likewise, Kaboly suggests that the Steelers will not extend outside linebacker Bud Dupree prior to the July 15 deadline for franchised players, and the team will almost assuredly not tag him against next season. Indeed, we haven’t heard of any contract talks between the two sides, and it looks as if Dupree will play out the 2020 campaign on his $16MM+ tender, with an eye towards hitting the open market in 2021.
Let him get his own. He’s got Syracuse money.
Well this certainly blows. I guess we go for gold in 2020 before settling for a couple of rebuilding years as we rekindle the defensive/offensive lines and find a replacement for Ben. Sometimes it’s hard to face reality, but otherwise you end up prolonging the period of futility. See Tigers, Detroit and Phillies, Philadelphia for an example
Steelers are definitely all-in on 2020
Wouldnt be so bad to replace him with JJ Watt next year tho.. one can dream right?
Steelers will trade him, it’s the smart thing to do.
yep, he is 30. Its a game of replacement. Time to find the next one.
No Steelers are putting all the chips in for 2020..
They’ll let him walk after the season if need be.
Likely pick up a 3rd rnd comp pick for him too.
Hes been an awesome representation of the team and would be happy to see him get overpaid elsewhere
2 yrs older than Donald. Never as productive as Donald. Don’t see that one panning out. Fletcher Cox money? Okay.
Hes just creating some hype.
No chance he gets Donald money, but will surely be the highest paid DLineman next offseason
I love Cam, but he would’t be the first Steeler that they let test free agency once they’re over 30. Some do well elsewhere (see Woodson, Rob) while others don’t (Timmons, Lawrence).
Wallace, Mike or more recently, Brown, Antonio
Well said 13, Wagner.
Good one, abrony, jj
Antonio Brown? no. he doesn’t fit the category. Steelers didn’t let him test free agency
Heyward will likely play deep into his 30s but Steelers gotta lock other guys up and/or save money for Watt, JJ