PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cam Heyward still have not agreed on a new contract. The team’s minicamp is completed, leaving just a brief break between now and the start of training camp. After that, the regular season will be here in a snap, leaving contract talks to wait until the season concludes.

If a contract extension is completed, it will be during this break before training camp and the preseason begins. Heyward recently made bold claims about playing elsewhere, which could apply pressure on the Steelers to finalize his new extension. The biggest question remaining in these negotiations is what will the contract look like if they reach an agreement.

Let’s start with the NFL’s current market for defensive linemen. According to Over the Cap, Heyward’s average salary of just over $16 million ranks 19th among interior defensive linemen. The position received a huge boost when the recently retired Aaron Donald negotiated his contract extension, earning himself an average salary north of $30 million.

That reset of the market led to a group of younger defensive linemen getting paid. Players such as Justin Madubuike, Derrick Brown, Dexter Lawrence, and Jeffrey Simmons all received contracts totaling more than $90 million after Donald signed his extension. They also were guaranteed at least 50% of their total contract. Heyward wants to be paid like a top-10 defensive lineman in the NFL, putting him on par with or exceeding these contracts.

The biggest hold-up for the Steelers is Heyward’s age. He’s 35 years old, and while he wants to play longer, there is no guarantee what level he can bring to finish his career. The best linemen in the league are between the ages of 25-31, with many players out of the league by the time they are Cam’s age.

There’s no doubt that the Steelers have a freak of nature in Cam Heyward, but should they pay him like he will be elite for the duration of his next contract? His performance at this point of his career is an anomaly, and the Steelers could believe that anomaly is coming to an end.

If the two sides get a deal done, it will be a compromise. Heyward can’t expect to make as much money as he’d like, and the Steelers must do something they never do: sign an aging veteran to a market-rate contract.

Some examples that could key us in on a potential contract are recent deals for defensive linemen age 30 or older. An example from last summer is former Steelers nose tackle Javon Hargrave. At age 30, he signed a four-year, $84 million deal with San Francisco. Similarly, DeForest Buckner recently signed a two-year, $46 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts. Nearly all of the money is guaranteed as well.

With all of this in mind, what will a new deal look like between Heyward and the Steelers? The length of the contract feels easier to predict. Heyward stated that he wants to play a few more years, so why not settle on a two or three-year contract? The team can structure it so there are options worked in and can leave themselves wiggle room should Heyward drastically decline.

As for the salary, that’s the real kicker. If the Steelers are willing to up his average salary to somewhere between $20 and $25 million, depending on the length of the contract, a deal will get done quickly. A new contract in the neighborhood of two-year, $40-48 million, or three-year, $60-70 million should put this negotiation to rest for Heyward and the Steelers.

Make sure you bookmark All Steelers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more

Subscribe to the All Steelers YouTube Channel

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers have concluded Organized Team Activities and departed for a midsummer break. Training camp waits on the other side of roughly six weeks off and later will come roster cuts as the team trims down to a final group of 53 men.

Some of the decisions the Steelers need to make will be easier than others. Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette said during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan’s The Starkey Show that he believes tight end will be the most difficult of them all to cut down from five guys to three.

“Tight end is so hard for me to predict right now,” Fittipaldo said. “You got [Pat] Freiermuth, you got Darnell Washington, Connor Heyward, Rodney Williams and they brought in [MyCole] Pruitt, who was with Smith in Atlanta. That’s five guys right there. Are you gonna keep even four of those guys…That’s going to be hard for them on cutdown day,” he said.

Freiermuth and Washington figure to be locks to make the roster as the top two tight ends on the roster, which leaves it as a three-man race for what will be no more than two tight end spots on the 53-man roster when the time comes. Heyward has shown some playmaking flashes over his two seasons in Pittsburgh. Williams has experience in the program and Pruitt has more snaps played in the system as a former Atlanta Falcon under Smith’s coaching.

Heyward has filled a sort of hybrid role for the Steelers, at least during OTAs as the full roster gets accustomed to offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s new system. He’s lined up at tight end, in the backfield and as a slot receiver at times. And even more versatility will give him a leg up in the race for a roster spot, according to Fittipaldo.

“I’ll tell you one thing – you better play special teams,” Fittipaldo said. “Special teams are going to be a big factor in that and luckily for Heyward he’s a good special teams player.”

There will be plenty of speculation over the coming weeks but no decisions until the Steelers hit the fields at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, throw on pads and get back to playing football.

Make sure you bookmark All Steelers for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more

Subscribe to the All Steelers YouTube Channel

KRAFT HOCKEYVILLE 2024 TO FEATURE OTTAWA SENATORS AND PITTSBURGH PENGUINS IN NHL PRESEASON MATCHUP

TORONTO, ON (June 15, 2024) – Today, Kraft Heinz, in partnership with the National Hockey League (NHL®) and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) announced their official 2024 NHL preseason matchup celebrating the Kraft Hockeyville 2024 winning community Elliot Lake, Ontario. The Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins will face off on Sunday, September 29, 2024. The details of the preseason game, including location and broadcast timing, are currently being finalized and will be announced at a later date, along with other important community event details.

“Now spanning 18 years, Kraft Hockeyville’s roots dig deep into Canada’s hockey legacy. We feel privileged to be a part of Elliot Lake’s journey and witness how hockey unites their community — on the ice and beyond,” said Simon Laroche, President of Kraft Heinz Canada. “We are pleased to announce the preseason game in partnership with the NHL and NHLPA and celebrate the heartwarming story of our winning city with local hockey fans and players alike.”  

In addition to their NHL® preseason game for winning Kraft Hockeyville 2024, Elliot Lake received $250,000 for upgrades to its local arena, Centennial Arena, and $10,000 worth of youth hockey equipment from the NHLPA Goals & Dreams fund.

Elliot Lake is a resilient community where hockey has been a constant source of inspiration. Despite many challenges, particularly after the closure of mines in the early 1990s, their community has redefined itself and the population continues to grow. However, recent hardships impacted their recreational and competitive hockey leagues, including their junior hockey team, forcing them to relocate due to the closure of the Centennial Arena following significant structural issues with their roof. This has not only impacted the city financially but has affected the mental health and well-being of the children in the community. Winning Kraft Hockeyville 2024 provides the resources needed to support the reopening of Centennial Arena, offering the city the home arena they deserve while continuing to foster hockey’s hopeful spirit in Elliot Lake.

“Northern Ontario maintains a rich hockey history,” said Ottawa Senators President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Steve Staios. “We’re looking forward to showcasing both our team and our brand to the many passionate fans in their communities as part of this fall’s Kraft Hockeyville events.”

“The Pittsburgh Penguins are excited to participate in Kraft Hockeyville this fall,” said Pittsburgh Penguins President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Kyle Dubas. “Having grown up in Northern Ontario, I understand how impactful the event will be for the people of Elliot Lake and the surrounding area. The investment in Elliott Lake and the game itself provide the Penguins with a great opportunity to contribute to the growth of the sport in an area of the world that truly loves ice hockey!”

Kraft Hockeyville has established a longstanding commitment to building strong communities across the country through the love of the game of hockey. The program has awarded over $5.1 million to 101 communities over the past 18 years in support of revitalizing Canada’s aging sports and recreation infrastructure.

For complete program details, please visit krafthockeyville.ca.