PITTSBURGH – The Ian Steelers have completed a major restructuring of Defense Captain Cameron Heyward’s contract, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Heyward, 31, signed a five-year deal for $ 75 million last off-season, making it the Steelers’ largest deal for a player over 30.
According to Rapoport, Heyward will still make $ 10.5 million this season, but his roster bonus and base salary have been converted to a signing bonus. The move will give the Steelers around $ 7 million in salary caps.
Pittsburgh was about $ 15 million above the salary cap prior to restructuring. The change will bring them closer to breakeven, along with the NFL’s announcement that the cap floor has increased from $ 175 million to $ 180 million.
The Steelers’ biggest cap hit is still from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The 38-year-old Roethlisberger will accept a check for $ 41.25 million if no changes are made to his contract.
When Roethlisberger retires, the Steelers will only hit a cap hit of $ 22.25 million.
Noah Strackbein is a publisher at AllSteelers. Follow Noah on Twitter @NoahStrack and AllSteelers @si_steelers.
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