The 2023 season was a tough one for Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward. Heyward had the worst season of his 13-year career, in large part because of injuries.
Heyward will turn 35 years old in May and has a $22 million salary cap hit in 2023. That has some wondering if Heyward is going to be asked to take a pay cut for the good of the team. Heyward addressed this on his “Not Just Football” podcast and made it clear he is not taking less money.
“I bust my butt in rehab, doing everything. I got to let things calm down,” Heyward said. “Screw the people who keep talking about me getting a pay cut.”
The Steelers have many options for how to make Heyward’s cap hit more manageable without a direct pay cut. The team could sign Heyward to an extension and with the corresponding restructure, move much of his salary to a bonus. The reality is this is just pushing that cap hit down the line and it will come due at some point.
