Cam Heyward "warming" to the idea of finishing his career elsewhere

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • Oviedo
    Legend
    • May 2008
    • 23702

    Cam Heyward "warming" to the idea of finishing his career elsewhere

    That's nice, but he should also warm to the idea that it is highly unlikely any other NFL team values a 36 year old player more than the Steelers. He's earning $22M+ this year.

    Calais Campbell, age 37, signed for "an undisclosed salary" with Miami and I'll guarantee its not what Heyward is making this year or he wants.

    Heyward says he will play in 2025, but perhaps not with the Steelers. "If that is what is needed to be done, then so be it," he said.
    "My team, may they always be right, but right or wrong...MY TEAM!"
  • WindyCitySteel
    Legend
    • Nov 2011
    • 15035

    #2
    Cam seems more focussed on his contract than winning a Super Bowl in 2024.

    Comment

    • brothervad
      Pro Bowler
      • Dec 2008
      • 1910

      #3
      Meh,

      Pretty sure this is a part of negotiating strategy. But that being said, I really care little about Cam Heyward anymore. NFL is a harsh business. And while I think he is the standard of what a role model should be in the NFL, I realize the business trumps everything else.

      On another thread people are justifying have a player on the roster because it makes them a better team. Fair enough, but the flip side is also true...as high character as Cam is, if his better days are behind him then using the does it make the Steeler better philosophy...he can go.

      I wish it were different but this is what it is...

      Brothervad

      Comment

      • Northern_Blitz
        Legend
        • Dec 2008
        • 23529

        #4
        Originally posted by brothervad
        Meh,

        Pretty sure this is a part of negotiating strategy. But that being said, I really care little about Cam Heyward anymore. NFL is a harsh business. And while I think he is the standard of what a role model should be in the NFL, I realize the business trumps everything else.

        On another thread people are justifying have a player on the roster because it makes them a better team. Fair enough, but the flip side is also true...as high character as Cam is, if his better days are behind him then using the does it make the Steeler better philosophy...he can go.

        I wish it were different but this is what it is...

        Brothervad
        Well said Brothervad.

        I like Cam and hope he stays.

        But I'm really encouraged that we seem to be playing hardball with him. I think this is one of the good things about having a cap guy as a GM.

        Comment

        • steeler_fan_in_t.o.
          Legend
          • May 2008
          • 9913

          #5
          Originally posted by brothervad
          NFL is a harsh business. And while I think he is the standard of what a role model should be in the NFL, I realize the business trumps everything else.
          I'll disagree. If business trumps everything else then Cam does not even make it to camp this season. He has a $22M cap hit because the Steelers value his character and see him as a leader. At the end of the season nobody will be saying that the Steelers got value out of that contract.
          http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/k...to_Mike/to.jpg

          Comment

          • NorthCoast
            Legend
            • Sep 2008
            • 25606

            #6
            Go to another team and leave all his local charities and sponsors behind? How does that work?

            While the Steelers value leadership, I hope they value performance a lot more.

            Comment

            • brothervad
              Pro Bowler
              • Dec 2008
              • 1910

              #7
              Originally posted by steeler_fan_in_t.o.
              I'll disagree. If business trumps everything else then Cam does not even make it to camp this season. He has a $22M cap hit because the Steelers value his character and see him as a leader. At the end of the season nobody will be saying that the Steelers got value out of that contract.
              I think there is a difference between what has been budgeted for today and what will be budgeted for next year and the year following.

              I don't think I am suggesting he is without current value to the Steelers. I am saying he doesn't have future value. They can't cut him right now and go to the DE store and get similar value for any price. At this point $22M is sunk costs. Cam will provide both leadership and hopefully decent play. Will it be worth the $22M? Really it's TBD. He won't be just a body but I doubt they would sign a 35 year old FA who had similar characteristics as Cam if he had decided to hang it up after the end of last season like Pouncey did for example.

              My point is he doesn't have any future value. The NFL even before FA showed that staying too long with players due to sentimentality you end up paying a price.

              That is what I am suggesting, his statement of playing elsewhere is something where if I were the Steelers, I would be respectful to him but behind closed doors i might be saying "go right ahead...I wish you the best in your future endeavors."

              Brothervad

              Comment

              • Captain Lemming
                Legend
                • Jun 2008
                • 15963

                #8
                Just sounds like his agent is doing his job busy planting stories.
                Last edited by Captain Lemming; 06-14-2024, 10:45 PM.
                sigpic



                In view of the fact that Mike Tomlin has matched Cowhers record I give him the designation:

                TCFCLTC-
                The Coach Formerly Considered Less Than Cowher

                Comment

                • Shawn
                  Legend
                  • Mar 2008
                  • 15129

                  #9
                  He still has some good football in him. The problem with his type is that they overvalue their declining skill set. Rarely do you see a player of his caliber say hey I’m getting a little long in the tooth maybe I should sign a reasonable 3 year deal so I can retire with my team. They still think they are worthy of premium blue chip pay. The issue isnt the team or the brutal business. It’s players overvaluing themselves.
                  Trolls are people too.

                  Comment

                  • Buzz
                    Legend
                    • Dec 2017
                    • 8188

                    #10
                    He's trying to get as much as he can
                    Steelers need to hold fast
                    I don't think any other team is going to break the bank to get him

                    Comment

                    • Shawn
                      Legend
                      • Mar 2008
                      • 15129

                      #11
                      Originally posted by Buzz
                      He's trying to get as much as he can
                      Steelers need to hold fast
                      I don't think any other team is going to break the bank to get him
                      he is worth a 2 year 6 million dollar contract then retire a Steeler. He wont get more than that on the open market. What do 37 year old free agents get outside an “undisclosed amount”
                      Trolls are people too.

                      Comment

                      • NorthCoast
                        Legend
                        • Sep 2008
                        • 25606

                        #12
                        Originally posted by Shawn
                        He still has some good football in him. The problem with his type is that they overvalue their declining skill set. Rarely do you see a player of his caliber say hey I?m getting a little long in the tooth maybe I should sign a reasonable 3 year deal so I can retire with my team. They still think they are worthy of premium blue chip pay. The issue isnt the team or the brutal business. It?s players overvaluing themselves.
                        Maybe he figures there is a team dumb enough (aka Browns) to shell out $$$ before he retires:

                        Pittsburgh star defender Cameron Heyward recently spoke about possibly leaving the Steelers and the possibility of joining the Browns:
                        ?I have talked to my wife (Allie), and we know the reality, and we have had those talks, and she said it could be fun to play somewhere else,? Heyward said at his locker this week. ?If that is what is needed to be done, then so be it.

                        ?I still have family in Cleveland ? my wife is from Cleveland,? Heyward said. ?We will see. I am not trying to think about all that right now.?

                        Comment

                        • WindyCitySteel
                          Legend
                          • Nov 2011
                          • 15035

                          #13
                          Cam better back this shyte up with one of his best seasons, if he continues to drop off the fans will turn on him.

                          Comment

                          • flippy
                            Legend
                            • Dec 2008
                            • 17088

                            #14
                            Originally posted by WindyCitySteel
                            Cam better back this shyte up with one of his best seasons, if he continues to drop off the fans will turn on him.
                            He could be losing some fans already? People turn fast nowadays.

                            Some of his comments border on sounding like he?s a hostage and not a volunteer.

                            Whatever happens here, I do feel a little bad these guys have to negotiate in public while we?re all watching. It takes a toll on the average Joe fan cause we?re invested for free into this team and you realize sometimes this is just a job for these guys.
                            sigpic

                            Comment

                            • Captain Lemming
                              Legend
                              • Jun 2008
                              • 15963

                              #15
                              I would suggest his agent has told him he did himself a disservice suggesting he would never
                              play elsewhere.

                              It is a leverage attempt in my view to counter his earlier statements. Sadly, for him unless the team sees proof that teams are lining up to sign a lineman on the wrong side of 35 coming off of a major injury to big bucks he has no real leverage.
                              sigpic



                              In view of the fact that Mike Tomlin has matched Cowhers record I give him the designation:

                              TCFCLTC-
                              The Coach Formerly Considered Less Than Cowher

                              Comment

                              Working...