It’s New Year’s Day in the NFL. The league year begins at 4 o’clock this afternoon, with players on expiring contracts becoming free agents and teams then being able to sign them. One player not on an expiring deal for the Steelers is defensive captain Cam Heyward, who yesterday signed a one-year contract extension, through 2027. The $32.35 million extension contains $16.25 million guaranteed.
Former Steelers punter Cameron Johnston is coming back to Pittsburgh. He agreed to a one-year deal, terms unannounced, after punting in four games for Buffalo before suffering a season-ending foot injury in 2025. His 2024 season with the Steelers ended in his first game when he suffered a torn ACL in the season opener. Johnston was beaten out by Corliss Waitman last summer, but Waitman is a restricted free agent. The Steelers can make a qualifying offer to him by 4 PM today or he becomes unrestricted.
The NFL Network reports the Steelers will also add safety Darnell Savage, a 2019 first round pick by Green Bay. He played for Jacksonville, Washington, and Buffalo last season.
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A stunner from the Baltimore Ravens yesterday…they backed out of their trade with the Raiders for edge rusher Maxx Crosby, reportedly because he failed his physical due to his knee injury. Skeptical insiders are saying it’s more likely because the Ravens want to make a run at former Bengal Tre Hendrickson, a free agent who would cost them no draft picks, instead of the two number one choices they would have had to give up for Crosby.
