The Pittsburgh Steelers, on paper have a highly competitive, Super Bowl calibre team.
That is, if you ignore the quarterback and receiver positions…
The franchise is still in a state of QB limbo since the departure of 2 x Super Bowl champion, Ben Roethlisberger, having officially cut ties with disappointing 2022 1st round pick, Kenny Pickett, this offseason.
Russel Wilson, another former Super Bowl champion, will look to regain his former elite quarterback play this season as the Steelers hope to avoid the Mike Tomlin curse of no losing seasons with equally no playoff wins – a run that stretches back 8 years now.
More Pressure On The Defense For The Pittsburgh Steelers Amidst More Quarterback Uncertainty
With the regular season finally at the precipice of recommencing once again, Pittsburgh’s defence will thus once again likely be the star of the show, headed by ex Defensive Player of the Year, TJ Watt.
A major point of this defense over the past decade plus has been defensive tackle, Cameron Heyward, who despite his age has remained a very productive member of the Steelers’ notoriously tough D.
As a result, Pittsburgh have felt it prudent to keep him on the side for the foreseeable future, per Jeremy Fowler.
Cameron Heyward Receives Largest Ever Deal Given To A 35 Year Old
Although Heyward, admittedly, did not quite replicate his recent season form – recording just 2 sacks in 2023 after managing double digits in both of the years prior, he is still very much a critical element to the side on and off the field.
The 35 year old stalwart has been the primary leader on defense for the past few years in Pittsburgh, and his influence has even extended to the draft room, where he put in a good word for his brother Connor, who the Steelers selected in the 6th round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Ultimately, $15 million APY (average per year) is no longer an elite level contract, considering the amounts given to top tier studs like the Kansas City Chiefs’ Chris Jones – who recently signed a 5 year deal worth over $158 million.
Equally, if Heyward’s play declines further, it is likely that the roadblocks to getting out of his contract will not be substantial, particularly given that only around a third of his total deal ($16 million) is guaranteed.
Some might argue that Pittsburgh might have been better off leaving a further extension until the end of the year, rather than pre-emptively re-signing him, but evidently the Steelers see themselves as bona fide contenders for the next couple of years; which, if they believe in Russ, could well be a reality.
And, of course, it’s not as if dynamic 3 techniques grow on trees either.
