With more defensive attrition this offseason than they bargained for, the Pittsburgh Steelers wasted little time in working out a new deal with defensive end Cam Heyward. Heyward signed a six-year, $59.2 million contract Thursday night.
I love this organization! Very blessed and excited about continuing my career as a Steeler!#somanythanks #greatday pic.twitter.com/kcil0bsHal
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) July 17, 2015
Heyward is set to begin his fifth season since being drafted in the first round out of Ohio State in 2011. The 26-year-old defensive end is coming off his best season, with 53 tackles, 7.5 sacks and four passes defended.
That’s a lot of money for those kind of numbers, but it’s obvious the Steelers like Heyward in their system and want to lock him in now when he’s young. Heyward is the son of former NFL running back Craig “Iron Head” Heyward, who passed away in 2006. Cam gave a shout out to his dad as part of his celebration.
never know how much it means 2 stay a steeler! I grew up admiring the steelers I bleed black & gold. Iron head is looking down with a smile
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) July 17, 2015
Patriots lose Connolly to retirement
It’s not been the best offseason for the New England Patriots and Thursday it got worse. Team caption Dan Connolly, starting guard on the Patriots’ Super Bowl offensive line, announced his retirement.
Connolly entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Southeast Missouri State and played 10 seasons in the NFL.
Dan Connolly played a ton of positions, but my favorite DC moment came wk-1 '14 @Patriots vs @MiamiDolphins playing C pic.twitter.com/u6lZQx1d2Z
— Duke Manyweather (@BigDuke50) July 17, 2015
“It’s important to me to leave the game healthy,” Connolly said. “I’m able to be here for my kids and walk away on my own terms. I feel like I got everything I could out of football in playing 10 years, winning a Super Bowl, and playing alongside some truly great players.”
Other moves
The New York Giants signed safety Jeromy Miles, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens. To make room the Giants cut wide receiver Marcus Harris and safety Justin Currie.
The Indianapolis Colts will induct former Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday into their Ring of Honor this season. Saturday is the 12th player to join the ring. The ceremony will happen at halftime on Sept. 21 when the Colts host the New York Jets.
NFL Training Camp Dates and Locations
The NFL released training camp details for all 32 teams this week. The Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings get a head start on everybody else, with a report date of July 25 thanks to squaring off in the Hall of Fame preseason game on Aug. 9.
A few teams don’t report until August, with the Detroit Lions the latest team to show on Aug. 2. The rest of the schedules and locations are below.
Arizona Cardinals – July 31, University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Ariz.
Atlanta Falcons – July 30, Falcons Training Facility, Flowery Branch, Ga.
Baltimore Ravens – July 29, Under Armour Performance Center, Owings Mills, Md.
Buffalo Bills – July 30, St. John Fisher College, Rochester, N.Y.
Carolina Panthers – July 30, Wofford College, Spartanburg, S.C.
Chicago Bears – July 29, Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, Ill.
Cincinnati Bengals – July 30, Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
Cleveland Browns – July 29, Browns Training Complex, Berea, Ohio
Dallas Cowboys – July 29, River Ridge Playing Fields, Oxnard, Calif.
Denver Broncos – July 30, Paul D. Bowlen Memorial Broncos Centre, Dove Valley, Colo.
Detroit Lions – Aug. 2, Lions Training Facility, Allen Park, Mich.
Green Bay Packers – July 29, St. Norbert College, De Pere, Wis.
Houston Texans – July 31, Houston Methodist Training Center, Houston, Texas
Indianapolis Colts – Aug. 1, Anderson University, Anderson, Ind.
Jacksonville Jaguars – July 30, Florida Blue Health and Wellness Practice Fields, Jacksonville, Fla.
Kansas City Chiefs – July 31, Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, Mo.
Miami Dolphins – July 29, Doctors Hospital Training Facility, Davie, Fla.
Minnesota Vikings – July 25, Minnesota State University, Mankato, Minn.
New England Patriots – July 29, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.
New Orleans Saints – July 29, The Greenbrier, White Sulpher Springs, W Va.
New York Giants – July 30, Timex Performance Center, East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Jets – July 29, Atlantic Health Jets Training Center, Florham Park, N.J.
Oakland Raiders – July 30, Napa Valley Marriott, Napa, Calif.
Philadelphia Eagles – Aug. 1, NovaCare Complex, Philadelphia, Pa.
Pittsburgh Steelers – July 25, Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, Pa.
St. Louis Rams – July 31, Rams Park Training Center, Earth City, Mo.
San Diego Chargers – July 29, Chargers Park, San Diego, Calif.
San Francisco 49ers – July 31, SAP Performance Facility, Santa Clara, Calif.
Seattle Seahawks – July 30, Virginia Mason Athletic Center, Renton, Wash.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – July 31 One Buccaneer Place, Tampa, Fla.
Tennessee Titans – July 30, Saint Thomas Sports Park, Nashville, Tenn.
Washington Redskins – July 29, Bon Secours Training Center, Richmond, Va.
