by: Brian Jones 19 minutes ago brianjones_93
Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
Cam Heyward is expressing his frustration with the Pittsburgh Steelers and his contract situation. While speaking to reporters on Monday, the Steelers’ All-Pro defensive lineman said he wants his contract to reflect his production on the field.
“It’s hard for me, after the year that I had, to really justify playing at the number I’m playing at,” Cameron Heyward said, per Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. “I understand I signed the contract last year. But to be completely honest with you, when I signed that, I told the team when I have an All-Pro year, expect me to come back.
“People look at the contract and see what it was. I think everybody kind of giggled a little bit, but in my head, I use it as motivation to go out there and prove it.”
It was reported last week that Heyward hasn’t fully participated in practice this summer, as he awaits a restructured deal. Before the start of the 2024 season, the former Ohio State star agreed to a three-year, $45 million contract extension.
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Heyward also talked about being approached last year and taking a pay cut. “We ended up getting the deal done,” he said. “When I look at the market and I look at what I’ve done, it’s hard to really wrap my head around playing at a number where I’m not even half of what the rest of the market is.”