3 Steelers next in line for contract extensions after Cam Heyward's new deal

After months of speculation as to whether or not Cam Heyward would sign a contract extension before the start of the season, the Steelers locked up the long-time defensive lineman to a three-year deal that keeps him in Pittsburgh through the 2026 season. The decision to keep a player like Heyward around for life wasn't a surprising move from a team that values loyalty as much as any in the league.

Heyward's contract numbers are team-friendly. He received $15 million in a signing bonus and just $16 million in fully guaranteed money. The former All-Pro also has a per-year average of $15 per season.

With Heyward's deal complete, the question becomes: who's next in line to earn their bag for the Steelers? Here are three players who could earn extensions before their contracts expire in the 2025 offseason.

Pat Freiermuth, TE

When there were rumors that the Steelers would be handing out an extension, many fans immediately thought of Pat Freiermuth. The 2021 second-round pick is entering the prime of his NFL career and has been a big part of the offense when healthy.

Though Freiermuth has been plagued with concussions and soft tissue injuries, he's a reliable pass-catcher and a quarterback's best friend over the middle of the field when used properly. Following the 2022 season, Freiermuth became the first tight end in NFL history to record at least 60 receptions in each of his first two seasons.

Injuries struck in 2023, as Freiermuth was sidelined with a hamstring ailment early in the season. However, the 25-year-old tight end has a chance to break out with Arthur Smith as his offensive coordinator in 2024. The Steelers could look to get him signed at a reasonable price tag before possibly putting up the biggest numbers of his career in the last year of his deal.

Jaylen Warren, RB

Both Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris are due for contracts after the 2024 season, but signing both running backs isn't the best use of finances for the Steelers. Some bloggers have argued that Harris should stick around beyond the 2024 season. But if Pittsburgh wanted him here, why not just give him the fifth-year option and run him until the wheels fall off?

Of the two, Warren is the more explosive back who fits a wide zone offense much better with his skill set. He also has significantly less wear and tear on his body, which means more mileage the Steelers get out of him on a second contract.

Warren is a restricted free agent in 2025, but I have a feeling the Steelers are going to reward him for his relentless effort after playing for pennies over the past three seasons. He could get a multi-year contract with the team before hitting the free-agent market.

Justin Fields, QB

Both of Pittsburgh's top two quarterbacks have expiring contracts after 2024, but only one is likely to stick around. Russell Wilson is the starter to begin the 2024 season, but do they really have a future building around him?

Wilson turns 36 years old in November and his chances in the league are dwindling at this stage of his career. At the same time, the Steelers won't want two straight seasons without a single returning quarterback on their roster. Justin Fields is 25 years old and doesn't have a huge market that will see him getting poached by another team. The Steelers could see how things go in 2024 and lock up him for the 2025 season.