The Pittsburgh Steelers have a difficult decision on their hands this offseason, and it isn’t at the quarterback position. While the quarterback position needs addressed, they also have to wonder what they’re going to do with the contract of defensive captain Cam Heyward. Heyward is slotted to have a cap hit of $22,406,250 in 2024, a number which would certainly have to change if he plans on returning to play next season.

Heyward said he doesn’t want to play anywhere else, or for another coach other than Mike Tomlin, but the Steelers have to make a move which is financially smart for the organization.

One of the biggest factors in that decision will be if Heyward is healthy. Heyward left the Week 1 game in 2023 with a groin injury which required surgery and landed him on Injured Reserve. After the season Heyward talked about how doctors said it could be a 13 week recovery time, and he made it back in almost half that. Based on Heyward’s Instagram account, it looks as though he went under the knife again, but for what remains unknown.

This was shared from Nick Farabaugh of SteelersNow.com:

Looks like Steelers DL Cam Heyward underwent an offseason surgery pic.twitter.com/KZIM989YiN

— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) February 19, 2024

The description on the photo reads: “Surgery done finally!! Ready to get back to feeling good!!”

After the season head coach Mike Tomlin said no players needed major surgery this offseason, but did mention players would need “clean up” procedures. This possibly could have been one of those procedures Tomlin was referring to, but how healthy Heyward will be post-surgery will be critical for his future.

Pointing back to what Heyward said following the season on his own podcast, his goal this offseason is to just get healthy. Essentially playing on one leg takes a toll on the physical and mental aspect of the game, and the Steelers captain needs to make sure he is able to be back at full speed before he commits to playing in 2024.

Be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers, and the Walter Payton Man of the Year award winner, as they prepare for the 2024 offseason.