However, he underwent successful surgery in the offseason and is looking forward to playing on two legs in 2024.
Critics are calling for Heyward to retire, citing his injury and his hefty $22 million cap hit in the final year of his contract.
Heyward recently vented his frustrations on Twitter about fans and media wanting to move on from his Steelers career.
Funny how you get hurt and kill yourself just to get back to play and not be 100 percent. Now they want you to retire cuz I was hurt all year🤷🏾♂️🤷🏾♂️🤷🏾♂️ Atleast I know where y’all stand. Yall quick to forget when I am healthy…. But I look forward to reminding yall
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) February 24, 2024
The 2023 season was challenging for Heyward, as he suffered a groin injury and underwent surgery, missing two months of gameplay.
Although he returned, it was evident that he was not fully recovered.
Heyward finished the season with two sacks, his lowest total since 2012.
He is now undergoing a second surgery to address his lingering groin injury. Heyward has stated that he will not take a pay cut.
It is likely that the team will rework his contract to reduce his 2024 cap charge.
The Steelers need Heyward to perform at his best in 2024, but they also need to improve their depth and add younger players to the roster.
Despite his injuries, Heyward has been a standout player for the Steelers and is tied for the second-most sacks in team history.
He has spent over a decade with the franchise and shows no signs of retiring anytime soon.
Cam Heyward is a rare case in the NFL. He has spent 13 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, defying the odds of longevity in a brutal sport.
Despite recent injury setbacks, Heyward continues to perform at a high level and shows no signs of leaving the team anytime soon.
Heyward’s breakout year came in 2013 when he earned his first start.
He impressed with 59 tackles, seven pass deflections, five sacks, and a fumble recovery. His performance ranked him 19th among all qualified defensive ends that year.
The Steelers recognized Heyward’s potential and picked up his fifth-year option, paying him $6.96 million in 2015.
He rewarded their faith by finishing the season with a career-high 7.5 sacks and earning the sixth-highest overall grade among defensive ends.
In 2017, Heyward had his best season yet, with 12 sacks and First-Team All-Pro honors.
He solidified his status as one of the most dominant defensive tackles in the NFL from 2018 to 2022, consistently recording impressive stats and being named one of the Top 100 players in the league.
Throughout his career, Heyward has been a leader both on and off the field.
His 80.5 career sacks are the most by a Steelers defensive lineman since 1982, and his 116 tackles for loss and 177 quarterback hits rank third among active defensive linemen.
He has earned numerous accolades, including six Pro Bowl selections and three AP First Team All-Pro titles.
Heyward’s impact on the Steelers cannot be overstated. He is a key figure in the locker room and has been recognized as one of the best interior defensive linemen in the league.
He was named the NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year for 2023, an award he has been nominated for six times by his team.
The NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, commended Heyward’s character, community contributions, and leadership, particularly through initiatives such as The Heyward House Foundation and the Voices of Hope Scholarship.
However, some fans on social media have been calling for Heyward’s retirement, even though he just won the prestigious NFL award.
Heyward responded to these critics, expressing his frustration with their reaction to a recent image he posted after undergoing offseason surgery and revealing that he played the 2023 season with a significant injury.
Despite some negative fan reactions, Heyward received overwhelming support from the majority of fans and is determined to continue his successful career in the upcoming 2024 season.
