cam extension talks

[gojira5150]

Cam is reportedly sitting out the OTAs as he demands a contract extension.

I thought it was all about the black and gold?

Just cut his ass after June 1st. He's done. Not worth an extension

[Pabst]

I think Cam has the right to hold out. I think the Steelers have the right to let him. I would not extend him. We need the money in 2025 for a QB, whether it is Wilson, Fields or a free agent.

If Cam is willing to take a team friendly deal ala Calais Campbell (2 years, $12.5m or 1 year, $7m) then fine. The Steelers have plenty of cap room to do it.

Reality is, though, that Cam will be 36 next year and this team needs to get younger on the D-Line. Cam is not / should not be a top priority at this point.

[alancac98]

This hold out and pouting shit is out of control. It was bad enough when they over paid Johnson. Cam is pretty much done. It will be a miracle if he plays beyond this year as anything more than a rotational guy. I'd cut him. They need to take a stand. If not, it will become standard for anyone to sit out in the last year of their deal.

Totally agree! I would not accept one guy holding out. They can sit and lose paychecks for the rest of their career. They signed a contract - play it out. Perform in every year of the contract and get a new one - simple! Sports is the only place where a contract doesn't seem to matter at all! But, yes, it should cut both ways as well!

[Steelafan77]

Steelers management can’t/won’t cut the WPMOY award winner this soon….

Com’on folks that’s just not how this soft ass “pay ‘em till he’s dead ‘ front office operates.

Players say they want to play for fraudlin cuz he’s the playazz coach but in reality they know they can steal another payday from the Steelers.

[KCSteeler]

Bold strategy, let's see how it works out for him. I'm no expert, but the take it or leave it style of negotiation doesn't seem like something Khan would warm up to. I guess we'll see.

[bradshaw2ben]

Let's all chill and remember that OTAs are optional. His contract does not require him to be there.

I'm sure all of you go to company team-building and training sessions for free, though.

[jmacinwbp]

Let's all chill and remember that OTAs are optional. His contract does not require him to be there.

I'm sure all of you go to company team-building and training sessions for free, though.

what a reasonable response, is that even allowed in off-season threads anymore? There's been many of those events in my career, haven't attended any of them.

Like most normal people, I prefer to spend what little free time that is available with the family or just relaxing.

[Deebo]

Let's all chill and remember that OTAs are optional. His contract does not require him to be there.

I'm sure all of you go to company team-building and training sessions for free, though.

what a reasonable response, is that even allowed in off-season threads anymore? There's been many of those events in my career, haven't attended any of them.

Like most normal people, I prefer to spend what little free time that is available with the family or just relaxing.

Here's the difference. If Cam occasionally or never attended OTA's, this wouldn't raise any eyebrows. But he's doing it for the SOLE PURPOSE of a new contract. He's being transparent that it's in retaliation for not having one.

That's a critical and distinct difference than "well it's not mandatory". He could have just said "I'm not attending this year". But he intentionally tied it to the lack of a contract. Huge difference. His direct quote is below.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1791241547947692398

"Have always attended these, but at this time it's just contract negotiations, and I want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler, but we'll see what happens."

[Pabst]

Like most normal people, I prefer to spend what little free time that is available with the family or just relaxing.

The trend around 'corporate culture' can't die fast enough.

Granted most of this crap is driven by millennials / Gen Z who have no personality or hobbies outside of work, but that may be a rant for another time.

[.Kodiak]

So long as he doesn't go the Stephon Tuitt route...

[CoolShades]

Here's the difference. If Cam occasionally or never attended OTA's, this wouldn't raise any eyebrows. But he's doing it for the SOLE PURPOSE of a new contract. He's being transparent that it's in retaliation for not having one.

That's a critical and distinct difference than "well it's not mandatory". He could have just said "I'm not attending this year". But he intentionally tied it to the lack of a contract. Huge difference. His direct quote is below.

https://x.com/i/web/status/1791241547947692398

"Have always attended these, but at this time it's just contract negotiations, and I want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler, but we'll see what happens."

Exactly. Scam Heyward’s ego is bigger than his massive melon. What did he do last year that warrants a holdout? No one but Heyward gives a shit he won WPMOTY, and that’s the sole professional achievement for him in 2023. It’s not a negotiation lever. He thinks the Steelers will not cut him because he’s too valuable to the image of the franchise. Franco was a bigger Steeler icon than Heyward could ever dream, and they let him go. The Steelers pushed Ben, Hines, and Troy out. Somehow Heyward is special? Well, maybe. Let’s see how much being Mediocre Mike’s official locker room/press conference ball washer means in negotiations.

I’ll bet if the Steelers let him sew on that stupid “look at me!” WPMOTY patch on his jersey, he’ll come in. Narcissist that he is, he can’t stand not having the captain’s patch on his jersey. Cam likes those little accolades, because it’s all about his image (and it’s all he has.)

So long as he doesn't go the Stephon Tuitt route...

Do you mean Tuitt just retiring?

I don’t think they would miss Heyward at all. He’s not the player he was 5 years ago. And Heyward won’t walk. He still thinks he can play and will not forgo that $22 million he’s due for 2024.

Retiring would be the best thing he could do for the franchise. The Steelers could also say goodbye to Connor, who is on the team ONLY because he’s Cam’s baby brother. And everyone (including the Heyward brothers) knows it.

[punum123]

This hold out and pouting shit is out of control. It was bad enough when they over paid Johnson. Cam is pretty much done. It will be a miracle if he plays beyond this year as anything more than a rotational guy. I'd cut him. They need to take a stand. If not, it will become standard for anyone to sit out in the last year of their deal.

I really believe this is the right solution. It's not personal...just business. This should have nothing to do with activities beyond football. Franco Harris and Troy P were swell guys, too. No extension...if holdout persists cut his ass. New regime...new message.

[stairway 2 seven]

Hopefully if anything this holdout leads to a avoidable years contract. If they redo his contract, he can retire without a large-cap hit after this season.
Heyward and his agent think they have leverage over the steelers because they didn't use a high draft pick on a d lineman or sign one in free agency.

[.Kodiak]

So long as he doesn't go the Stephon Tuitt route...

Do you mean Tuitt just retiring?

A year after IR-ing himself and collecting $14M in salary.

[Suwanee88]

Cam has had some very good years...some great ones too..but he's not a HOFer. His biggest sin if you will is how he's been such a "yes" man for Tomlin and Art 2. I hope they don't reward that.

Agreed

Suwanee, GA's own Cam Heyward considers himself a HOFer.
He isn't.

To have any shot of sneaking in, he needs to go the Calais Campbell route.
Walter Payton Man of Year
Pad Stats
Longevity.

Then pray the committee ignores THE TEAM's abysmal playoff record during his tenure as a Steeler.

All that said,
I hope Cam is not extended.
Money MUCH better spent elsewhere.

Agree 100% Drama!

Regarding money better spent. If they are serious about winning this year, why the hell didn’t they cut him this year and spend the $16MM somewhere else.

They are too damn loyal.

[Jobu]

Extending Cam is not a move I want to see, but…

13 year career and counting

Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (2023)
3× First-team All-Pro (2017, 2019, 2021)
Second-team All-Pro (2020)
6× Pro Bowl (2017–2022)

Total tackles:
647
Sacks:
80.5
Forced fumbles:
8
Fumble recoveries:
7
Pass deflections:
47
Interceptions:
2

So what does a man need to do to be HoF worthy?

[W&M_Steeler]

Extending Cam is not a move I want to see, but…

13 year career and counting

Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (2023)
3× First-team All-Pro (2017, 2019, 2021)
Second-team All-Pro (2020)
6× Pro Bowl (2017–2022)

Total tackles:
647
Sacks:
80.5
Forced fumbles:
8
Fumble recoveries:
7
Pass deflections:
47
Interceptions:
2

So what does a man need to do to be HoF worthy?

How about make a difference in the playoffs? Cam has good regular season numbers, but his post-season numbers aren't that great. Brett Keisel, far from a Hall of Famer, was more impactful in the post-season than Cam ever was, and Brett's post-season stats are better than Cam's even if you just look at the stats from the games where Brett started. Cam was always anonymous when it mattered. If anyone can remember a big Cam play in a key game, please remind me of it.

Cam's a "Hall of Very Good" type player to me, not a Hall of Famer. All Pros give Cam an argument as a borderline Hall of Famer, but he never received a vote for DPOY. His counting stats are good but not all-time great. He doesn't have the Bettis argument of top-ten all-time production. Between than and his absolute lack of impactful plays or signature moments, he has an uphill battle for the Hall. The thing that works most in his favor is his reputation as a good person, especially since he's a second generation NFLer and connected in the League. Hall votes are political, so that gives him an advantage where it works against other Steelers borderline candidates like Ward and especially Harrison. Hell, they might even make Ben wait a year as punishment for his bad reputation.

[Jobu]

Extending Cam is not a move I want to see, but…

13 year career and counting

Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (2023)
3× First-team All-Pro (2017, 2019, 2021)
Second-team All-Pro (2020)
6× Pro Bowl (2017–2022)

Total tackles:
647
Sacks:
80.5
Forced fumbles:
8
Fumble recoveries:
7
Pass deflections:
47
Interceptions:
2

So what does a man need to do to be HoF worthy?

How about make a difference in the playoffs? Cam has good regular season numbers, but his post-season numbers aren't that great. Brett Keisel, far from a Hall of Famer, was more impactful in the post-season than Cam ever was, and Brett's post-season stats are better than Cam's even if you just look at the stats from the games where Brett started. Cam was always anonymous when it mattered. If anyone can remember a big Cam play in a key game, please remind me of it.

Cam's a "Hall of Very Good" type player to me, not a Hall of Famer. All Pros give Cam an argument as a borderline Hall of Famer, but he never received a vote for DPOY. His counting stats are good but not all-time great. He doesn't have the Bettis argument of top-ten all-time production. Between than and his absolute lack of impactful plays or signature moments, he has an uphill battle for the Hall. The thing that works most in his favor is his reputation as a good person, especially since he's a second generation NFLer and connected in the League. Hall votes are political, so that gives him an advantage where it works against other Steelers borderline candidates like Ward and especially Harrison. Hell, they might even make Ben wait a year as punishment for his bad reputation.

I’m pretty sure the HoF has plenty of players that made little to no significant postseason impact. I’m also sure there are a few that never made the postseason.
IMO, there are players, excellent players, that elevate mediocre teams into relevance. I think Cam Heyward is one of those guys.
The issue is that when you get to the playoffs, it’s easy for quality teams/coaching to scheme away two or three quality players when the rest of the unit is mid level or worse. Throw in a head coach that doesn’t grasp the concept of elevating your plan and prep in the postseason, well this is where we are.
No doubt Cam hasn’t been up to snuff in the big games, nor has the entire team/organization, but he’s been a very good player for a very long time.
I’m not saying he’s first ballot, and I’m not saying he’s a stone cold lock, but his resume certainly suggests that he deserves serious consideration, IMO.
Just my 2 cents…

[steelmann58]

the most one season at best

[Deebo]

Extending Cam is not a move I want to see, but…

13 year career and counting

Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (2023)
3× First-team All-Pro (2017, 2019, 2021)
Second-team All-Pro (2020)
6× Pro Bowl (2017–2022)

Total tackles:
647
Sacks:
80.5
Forced fumbles:
8
Fumble recoveries:
7
Pass deflections:
47
Interceptions:
2

So what does a man need to do to be HoF worthy?

How about make a difference in the playoffs? Cam has good regular season numbers, but his post-season numbers aren't that great. Brett Keisel, far from a Hall of Famer, was more impactful in the post-season than Cam ever was, and Brett's post-season stats are better than Cam's even if you just look at the stats from the games where Brett started. Cam was always anonymous when it mattered. If anyone can remember a big Cam play in a key game, please remind me of it.

Cam's a "Hall of Very Good" type player to me, not a Hall of Famer. All Pros give Cam an argument as a borderline Hall of Famer, but he never received a vote for DPOY. His counting stats are good but not all-time great. He doesn't have the Bettis argument of top-ten all-time production. Between than and his absolute lack of impactful plays or signature moments, he has an uphill battle for the Hall. The thing that works most in his favor is his reputation as a good person, especially since he's a second generation NFLer and connected in the League. Hall votes are political, so that gives him an advantage where it works against other Steelers borderline candidates like Ward and especially Harrison. Hell, they might even make Ben wait a year as punishment for his bad reputation.

I’m pretty sure the HoF has plenty of players that made little to no significant postseason impact. I’m also sure there are a few that never made the postseason.
IMO, there are players, excellent players, that elevate mediocre teams into relevance. I think Cam Heyward is one of those guys.
The issue is that when you get to the playoffs, it’s easy for quality teams/coaching to scheme away two or three quality players when the rest of the unit is mid level or worse. Throw in a head coach that doesn’t grasp the concept of elevating your plan and prep in the postseason, well this is where we are.
No doubt Cam hasn’t been up to snuff in the big games, nor has the entire team/organization, but he’s been a very good player for a very long time.
I’m not saying he’s first ballot, and I’m not saying he’s a stone cold lock, but his resume certainly suggests that he deserves serious consideration, IMO.
Just my 2 cents…

Cam will get in because "he's a nice guy" and plays well with the media.

But as the poster above mentioned: can you name 1 big or impactful play Heyward has made that sticks out?

[Steel Ubaldo]

Cam is Mr. October in a sport where January and February are what matters. The Steelers were nice enough to employ his extremely average brother and make him a millionaire. Given the length of his rookie deal and the likelihood that they won’t cut him before Cam is gone, the Steelers also will ensure that Hayward the Lesser will be eligible for an NFL pension.

It’s this type of shit that drives me nuts with this team in particular. The Steelers pay the player handsomely (Watt, Hayward, Edwards to a much lesser extent) then they get the extremely average to below average brother and waste money and roster space on them as well as a touchy feely feel good story…. and yinzers eat that shit up…

[franco32]

My kids put on a video of the Steelers Jags playoff game we all know and love. Cam and the rest of that Dline was CAVED IN all day and Fournette bitched them. That was Cam in his prime.

Great player, but past his prime and I don't think he's HOF worthy.

[W&M_Steeler]

My kids put on a video of the Steelers Jags playoff game we all know and love. Cam and the rest of that Dline was CAVED IN all day and Fournette bitched them. That was Cam in his prime.

That game is Exhibit A for the argument against Cam making the Hall (Tomlin too, though that's a different thread). Cam was front and center of a humiliating, devastating defensive collapse in a home playoff loss in which the Steelers were strongly favored to win. It wasn't like Cam was playing alongside of stiffs in that game- Hargrave and Tuitt were the other starters on that line. If Cam were a true Hall of Famer, he would have contributed something in that game outside of 1 tackle and 0 QB hits. Losing Shazier shouldn't excuse that complete defensive collapse against a marginal, Blake Bortles led Jacksonville offense.

In retrospect, it's ridiculous that Todd Haley took the fall for that loss. I know Haley was an eccentric weirdo who publicly embarrassed the team the week before by breaking his hip in a drunken bar fight, but the offense contributed more than enough to win that game. The 2017 loss to Jacksonville was completely on the defense, and Cam was the leader of that defense.

[Scunge]

All this talk of whether Cam is a Hall of Famer is silly in my mind, because this is not 20 years ago.

This is 2024, when meritocracy is dead. When we have to give out participation trophies, let delusional men who think they are women compete with women, blah, blah, blah.

The bar has been lowered these past 20 years where every team gets to have players selected for the Hall of Fame.

So, yes, in the current NFL Hall of Fame climate, with the players selected the past 20 years, yes, Cam Heyward is a Hall of Famer.

You ever follow other teams and how they talk about their players?? The Bengal fans are convinced that AJ Green and Geno Atkins are Hall of Famers.

Denver finally got Steve Atwater in the Hall of Fame but I remember saying that he was just meh, and I thought the best safety drafted that year wasn't Atwater but Carnell Lake in 1989.

Atwater had more interceptions than Lake but Lake was more impactful in ALL of the categories. For example Atwater had a mere TD for his career coming off one interception. Lake had 3 TDs returned from INTs and added 2 TDs off of fumble recoveries, so he had 5 TDs for his career.

Atwater had 5 sacks for his career, Carnell Lake had 25 sacks. Atwater was supposed to be this big hitter, yet it was Lake who had more forced fumbles, 15 forced fumbles to Atwater's 6 forced fumbles.

Lake could do it all, make INTs, force fumbles, score TDs, play the run, and cover. When injuries would happen at cornerback, they would toss Carnell Lake out to start at CB.

Yet, here we sit in 2024 and Lake might not ever make the Hall of Fame but Steve Atwater is in because the NFL has decided that every team gets to participate in the Hall of Fame, every team gets there turn. Meritocracy has no place anymore, it is all politics and other factors and Cam Heyward checks all of the new boxes.

Cam Heyward IS a Hall of Famer, learn to accept it.

[Deebo]

https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/ste ... 2405200038

[CoolShades]

https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/ste ... 2405200038

From the article:

His reputation with the Steelers and around the league is beyond reproach. Earlier this month, he was appointed to the NFLPA’s executive committee after serving as the Steelers’ union rep since 2020.

Way to go, Cam. Keep building that off-the-field resume for your swing at Canton.

Corporate Cam, the Company Man.

[gojira5150]

https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/ste ... 2405200038

From the article:

His reputation with the Steelers and around the league is beyond reproach. Earlier this month, he was appointed to the NFLPA’s executive committee after serving as the Steelers’ union rep since 2020.

Way to go, Cam. Keep building that off-the-field resume for your swing at Canton.

Corporate Cam, the Company Man.

True Dat

[Deebo]

More Cam drama

https://x.com/CamHeyward/status/1792933607612219606

[shellwagnerblount]

This year and last was the OL rebuild...

2023-Broderick, Seumalo, Spencer Anderson
2024 -Fautano, Frazier, McCormick

I expect the next 2 years to be the DL, or at least heavy2025, 2 of the first 4/5 picks.
Should also have some cap room with Heyward and Larry OG a potential $7 million savings on buyout ( $3.5 dead ) if he is not a difference maker in 2024. So potentially $16 CH and $7 LOG = $23 off the books after this year from the DL.
Throw in Leal savings of $1.4 ( 233k dead ) and you are over $24 million off the books at DL after this season.

2023 - Benton,
2024 - 6th round Logan Lee

The Leal, 3rd round in '22 and Loudermilk 5th in '21 have not panned out.
3rd round miss hurts more than the 5th.

I expect the 2025 draft to have DL as a top 2 pick.
With a potential big DL FA signing.

Do yourself a favor and don’t research the Steelers history with Day 3 DL picks. Painful.

LOL..I shall take your word for it, B2B! I have a nice offseason buzz going and I don't want to ruin my optimistic bubble!

[Stosh-67]

All this talk of whether Cam is a Hall of Famer is silly in my mind, because this is not 20 years ago.

This is 2024, when meritocracy is dead. When we have to give out participation trophies, let delusional men who think they are women compete with women, blah, blah, blah.

The bar has been lowered these past 20 years where every team gets to have players selected for the Hall of Fame.

So, yes, in the current NFL Hall of Fame climate, with the players selected the past 20 years, yes, Cam Heyward is a Hall of Famer.

You ever follow other teams and how they talk about their players?? The Bengal fans are convinced that AJ Green and Geno Atkins are Hall of Famers.

Denver finally got Steve Atwater in the Hall of Fame but I remember saying that he was just meh, and I thought the best safety drafted that year wasn't Atwater but Carnell Lake in 1989.

Atwater had more interceptions than Lake but Lake was more impactful in ALL of the categories. For example Atwater had a mere TD for his career coming off one interception. Lake had 3 TDs returned from INTs and added 2 TDs off of fumble recoveries, so he had 5 TDs for his career.

Atwater had 5 sacks for his career, Carnell Lake had 25 sacks. Atwater was supposed to be this big hitter, yet it was Lake who had more forced fumbles, 15 forced fumbles to Atwater's 6 forced fumbles.

Lake could do it all, make INTs, force fumbles, score TDs, play the run, and cover. When injuries would happen at cornerback, they would toss Carnell Lake out to start at CB.

Yet, here we sit in 2024 and Lake might not ever make the Hall of Fame but Steve Atwater is in because the NFL has decided that every team gets to participate in the Hall of Fame, every team gets there turn. Meritocracy has no place anymore, it is all politics and other factors and Cam Heyward checks all of the new boxes.

Cam Heyward IS a Hall of Famer, learn to accept it.

STAGGERING...