Steelers DT Cameron Heyward explains why he chose not to hold-in

Steelers veteran defensive tackle Cameron Heyward has not been shy in expressing his desire to receive a contract extension heading into the final year of his current deal.

However, unlike several other stars around the league, the long-time team captain and 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year decided it was best not to hold-in with the 2024 season nearing.

"I needed to prove to everybody that I was healthy, especially with last year," Heyward said . "I still want to win, and as much as I want things to go right for me, I want things to go right for the Steelers. I want to be a contributor in this and not a distraction."

Heyward seems to be at a crossroads. He wants to get some long-term security from the team he began his 14-year NFL career with, but he also wants to focus on achieving the one thing he has yet to do in the NFL: Winning a Super Bowl.

The 35-year-old thinks Pittsburgh has a chance to contend for one once again this season.

"I feel the same. Every year we've won, but it's the process that you've got to go through. Nobody's crowned in September," Heyward added . "We've got a lot of great guys that I think can build on that. I'm just excited to see this journey we're about to go on."

While Heyward's focus seems entirely on the season ahead, it doesn't mean he's still not at least a little hopeful a deal will get done before the start of it.

"I wanna be here. I wanna have one helmet, but that's for them to decide," Heyward continued. "I don't know what to expect. I'm not gonna get my hopes up each day. Hopefully, something gets done."

The Steelers don't typically extend players once the season begins, so time is running out for the two sides to agree.

Heyward revealed there hasn't been much progress towards an extension, either.

"No new news. There's nothing to report," Heyward concluded . "I'm just going to keep my head down, continue to just control what I can control. That's up to my agent and the Steelers front office to work on that. My job is to play football."

Heyward is looking to rebound in 2024 after registering just 33 tackles and two sacks in 11 games while battling a lingering hamstring injury last year.