PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Cam Heyward said last year he wondered if he would get a contract extension done with the Steelers. Even though he had done everything right on and off the field. He waited and waited. Finally, on September 6 last year, he signed a new deal. He didn’t believe it would happen until he put pen to paper.
Following the team’s other long-time captain, Ben Roethlisberger on Wednesday. Heyward saying publicly the team needs to step up and get TJ Watt a new contract.
“You want to be part of this team,” Heyward said Thursday. “You put in so much hard work. You want it to be reciprocated.”
“We all feel like TJ should be paid. He’s put in the time and the work. He’s a productive player. He doesn’t miss many games. He’s a game changer. My conversations to him, he should be paid.”
Watt’s numbers speak to that and Heyward is keenly aware of his importance to the defense.
“This guy has been a contributor for us a long time,” Heyward said. “Where he got drafted, we were very lucky. We all knew he would be a player here. He’s answered the call and done more.”
Watt’s totaled 42.5 sacks in his last 47 games. He arguably was the best defensive player in the game last year. Heyward says he’s also handled it as much with a team-first approach as he could.
He added just because Watt wasn’t voted captain this year, doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a voice or isn’t a leader with this team.
“TJ has been a professional,” Heyward said. “He’s come out to practice. He’s locked in during meetings.”
Heyward also clear to point out his contract situation isn’t an excuse or won’t affect their play on Sunday.
“It’s not a distraction,” Heyward said. “This is what every person has to go through in their job. It’s just gets more publicized here.”
But, like Roethlisberger and even defensive coordinator Keith Butler before him, Heyward and he says the rest of the team, wants this issue put to bed.
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“We want to focus in on the Buffalo Bills, but for a guy like TJ,” Heyward said. “He wants to put it behind him.”
“We need to get it done.”