PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers signed defensive end Cameron Heyward to a new six-year contract on Thursday that will keep him with the team through 2020.
The 26-year-old Heyward was entering the final year of the rookie contract he signed after the Steelers took him with the 31st overall selection of the 2011 draft. He set a career high and tied for the team lead with 7 1/2 sacks in 2014 as Pittsburgh won the AFC North title.
Heyward tweeted a picture of him signing the extension Thursday night with the caption: “I love this organization.”
The Steelers are at the end of a youth movement on the defensive line. Heyward is considered the cornerstone of a rebuilt line that includes nose tackle Steve McLendon and second-year player Stephon Tuitt.
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