Dec 29, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward (97) sacks Cleveland Browns quarterback Jason Campbell (17) during the fourth quarter at Heinz Field. The Pittsburgh Steelers won 20-7. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The Pittsburgh Steelers picked up the fifth-year option on defensive end Cameron Heyward through the 2015 season, the team announced Tuesday.
According to salary figures reported last week by NFL Media’s Albert Breer, Heyward is slated to make $6.969 million in 2015.
Heyward, 24, recorded 63 tackles, five sacks, five passes defensed and 31 pressures last season, including 13 starts.
The Steelers selected the 6-foot-5, 288-pound Heyward with the No. 31 overall pick in the 2011 draft.
Pittsburgh exercised the option prior to a May 3 NFL deadline. Per the collective bargaining agreement brokered in 2011, first-round draft picks can sign four-year contracts with a team option for a fifth year.
