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Steelers Sign DE Cameron Heyward, 35, to Three-Year Extension

Heyward has played his entire NFL season in Pittsburgh, and now will likely retire there.

Madison Williams

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward reacts to a play.
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward reacts to a play. / Michael Longo/For USA Today Network / USA TODAY NETWORK
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The Pittsburgh Steelers and defensive end Cameron Heyward agreed to a three-year, $45 million contract extension on Tuesday.

The deal includes $29 million in new money and $16 million guaranteed. He will also receive a $15 million signing bonus.

Heyward was entering the final year of his contract, but now he's expected to be with the team through the 2026 season. Originally, the three-time first-team All-Pro mentioned he would be open to playing somewhere else next season if an extension wasn't agreed upon with the Steelers. At age 35, this new deal sets Heyward up to likely retire with the Steelers, the team he's spent his entire NFL career with since being drafted in 2011.

Heyward started 11 games last season after missing the other contests due to a groin injury he suffered in Week 1. He's a six-time Pro Bowler, with his most recent appearance coming in 2022.

The defensive end earned the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in Feb. 2024, meaning he will sport the Walter Payton patch during the upcoming season.

Heyward will start his 14th NFL on Sunday, Sept. 8 when the Steelers play the Atlanta Falcons at 1 p.m. ET.

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Madison Williams
MADISON WILLIAMS

Madison Williams is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated, where she specializes in tennis but covers a wide range of sports from a national perspective. Before joining SI in 2022, Williams worked at The Sporting News. Having graduated from Augustana College, she completed a master’s in sports media at Northwestern University. She is a dog mom and an avid reader.

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