3 Steelers affected most by recent Cameron Heyward contract extension

Bud Dupree

If you think this signing didn’t have much of a chance from the start, it’s even less likely now that Bud Dupree could return to the Steelers.

Dupree holds all of the leverage in contract negotiations. After Pittsburgh already used the franchise tag on him this season, to do so again would elevate his cap number above $20 million – something the Steelers obviously won’t do.

At this point, Dupree is going to work his tail off in a contract year in hopes to real in the biggest payday possible. Only a few factors can keep him from being a flat-out lock to sign elsewhere in 2020.

First, if Dupree has any serious injuries that derail his season or impair his production in 2020, he may not be able to sign the lucrative deal in free agency he was hoping for. At that point, perhaps they could get him back on a one-year ‘prove it’ deal. There’s also a chance that he doesn’t produce the same type of numbers in 2020 – making other teams hesitant to trust him to a rich new deal.

Realistically though, Dupree is as good as gone after Cameron Heyward’s extension.

It’s entirely possible that all three of these players impacted by Heyward’s new deal could be playing elsewhere in 2021. Let’s hope Kevin Colbert and his crew can work some salary cap magic to help keep a talented team next year and beyond.