CBS Sport: In a deal that saves almost $9 million against this year’s salary cap, Steelers mega star agrees to a three-year $45 million contract extension.

According to reports, the Steelers have agreed to a new three-year, $45 million contract with defensive end Cam Heyward, a Pro Bowl player, which will save the organization more than $9 million against the salary cap this season.

As part of the revised agreement, Heyward will receive a guaranteed sum of $16 million, which is equal to what his base pay was expected to be in 2024. The signing bonus was created out of that pay.

According to reports, the Steelers have agreed to a new three-year, $45 million contract with defensive end Cam Heyward, a Pro Bowl player, which will save the organization more than $9 million against the salary cap this season. As part of the revised agreement, Heyward will receive a guaranteed sum of $16 million, which is equal to what his base pay was expected to be in 2024. The signing bonus was created out of that pay.

Once the regular season starts, the Steelers have an unofficial policy of not negotiating contracts. Prior to Sunday’s game in Atlanta, they also intend to sign Pat Freiermuth, the lowest-paid starting tight end in the NFL, to a new contract.

After this season, Freiermuth will enter the final year of his four-year rookie contract and become an unrestricted free agent.

Heyward, who was selected by the Steelers in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, has always stated that he wants to end his career with them. However, he also stated that if the Steelers did not offer him a new contract, he was willing to play for a few more years and go elsewhere.

Heyward, who is coming off a season marred by groin and knee problems, claimed he is fully recovered and prepared to return to the form that earned him a three-time All-Pro selection and a six-time Pro Bowl selection. The Steelers intended to save him for the regular season, thus he did not play in any of the team’s three preseason games.

In 2023, Heyward participated in 11 games and recorded 25 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, and 1 pass deflection. Since the Steelers picked the 6-foot-5, 295-pound defensive tackle with the 31st overall pick in the 2011 draft, he has played in all 194 of his NFL career games in Pittsburgh.