NFL Offseason News: Pittsburgh Steelers Signed Defensive End Cameron Heyward to 6-Year Deal
Cameron Heyward will be staying with the Steelers for a long time.
ESPN reports that Heyward and the Steelers agree to a six-year $59.25 million dollar deal to stay with the Steelers, a source tells ESPN Adam Schefter. Heyward tweeted a photo of him signing the contract:
Heyward had a really good 2014 campaign. He registered 53 tackles and 7.5 sacks on a defense that was missing some of its star defensive players. He is the first Steelers end to lead the team in sacks since defensive end Arron Smith did it in 2004.
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Heyward was scheduled to receive $6.9 million after the Steelers exercised his option in his fifth year of his rookie contract. His current streak of playing in 64 consecutive games is tied for third longest among defensive ends in the NFL.
The Steelers had a complete overhaul on defense. They have a new defensive coordinator in Keith Butler, who replaces hall of fame defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau. Longtime defensive end Brett Keisel was released by the team earlier in the offseason. Cornerback Ike Taylor and future hall of famer safety Troy Polamalu retired. With a brand new defensive crew, the Steelers defensive are ready to go back to the kind of tough defensive they played years ago.
In his career, Heyward has 106 tackles with 15 sacks and 12 passes defended. He is he fourth highest paid defensive end in football behind players like J.J. Watt, Mario Williams and Charles Johnson.
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