Unless they are quarterbacks, NFL teams often don’t provide long-term contracts to players who are past thirty. That didn’t deter the Pittsburgh Steelers, though, from inking defensive tackle Cam Heyward, 35, to a new three-year deal.

Heyward’s contract, which was supposed to pay him $16 million in 2024, has one year remaining. He will now play for the Steelers for two more seasons, through 2026, and will be richly rewarded when he retires as a “one-helmet guy.”

Heyward reportedly signed a new contract worth $45 million, which includes $16 million in guarantees and a $15 million signing bonus.

“The season is the focus, and that was only one piece of the puzzle. I have to put that behind me now. After the announcement went viral, Heyward declared, “I am excited to just worry about football and excited to just play good football.”

Since being chosen with the first overall choice by the Steelers in 2011, Cam Heyward has been an exceptional player. He recorded 647 tackles and 80.5 sacks throughout his tenure with the team, was selected to three First Teams All-Pro teams, and was selected to six Pro Bowls.

But Heyward’s output suffered last season as a result of his ailments, which kept him out of only 11 games. With 33 tackles at the end of the year, he had his lowest