Steelers sign DE Cameron Heyward to six-year contract

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed defensive end Cameron Heyward to a six-year contract, the team announced on Thursday.

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed defensive end Cameron Heyward to a six-year contract, the team announced on Thursday.

Heyward’s contract is worth $59.25 million, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ed Bouchette, who first reported the deal. The deal, which keeps Heyward under contract through the 2020 season, makes the four-year veteran the 11th-highest paid defensive end in the NFL, according to Spotrac.com.

Heyward, 26, has played in all 64 regular-season games since the Steelers selected him in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft out of Ohio State. That streak of consecutive games ties him for the third-longest among active defensive ends.

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Last season, Heyward recorded 53 tackles and 7.5 sacks, the latter tying for the team high with linebacker Jason Worilds.

Over his career, Heyward has recorded 143 tackles, 15 sacks and 12 passes defended.

Before Thursday’s deal, Heyward was due to make $6,969,000 this season after the Steelers exercised the option for the fifth year of his rookie contract.

I love this organization! Very blessed and excited about continuing my career as a Steeler!#somanythanks #greatday pic.twitter.com/kcil0bsHal

— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) July 17, 2015

never know how much it means 2 stay a steeler! I grew up admiring the steelers I bleed black & gold. Iron head is looking down with a smile

— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) July 17, 2015

- Mike Fiammetta