Cam Heyward, one of the new leaders of the Steelers’ new defense, signed a new contract for six years and $59.25 million Thursday night.
Heyward, a starting defensive end the past two seasons, was scheduled to earn a salary of $6,969,000 this season after the Steelers exercised the option in the fifth year of his rookie contract. That was torn up and they signed him to a new deal that will last through 2020.
With so many veterans from their great defenses of the past dozen years retired or forced out, Heyward, 26, blossomed into one of the leaders and better players on a suddenly young defense.