Cam Heyward has Ohio connections, including his four seasons with the Buckeyes.
Some rivalries are more intense than others, and they don’t care what the record books say. For those of us who support both the Cleveland Browns and the Ohio State Buckeyes, rivalries are intense. “That Team Up North” undoubtedly receives the most vitriol, but the other three AFC North clubs are not far behind despite the Browns problems against them since “The Return” in 1999.
Most people despise the Baltimore Ravens, but the Pittsburgh Steelers are their main rivals. (The Cincinnati Bengals still feel like a younger sibling.) Joe Haden’s defection after being cut by Cleveland was made even more unpleasant by his hate for the Steelers.
Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh’s standout defense, reportedly discussed considering leaving the Steelers and joining the Browns:
“I spoke with my wife (Allie), and we know the reality, and she said it would be fun to play somewhere else,” Heyward said at his locker this week. “If that’s what has to be done, so be it.
“I still have family in Cleveland.” “My wife is from Cleveland,” Heyward explained. “We’ll see. I’m not trying to think about all that right now.”
Heyward spent four years in Columbus with the Buckeyes, including victories in the 2010 Rose Bowl and 2011 Sugar Bowl.
Heyward, who was born and raised in Pittsburgh, is in the final year of his deal but will be 36 when the season begins next year. The interior defensive lineman was drafted in the first round in 2011 and appeared in 194 games, but only 11 last season.
Despite his age and limited playing time last season, Heyward is nonetheless pleased with his performance:
Cam Heyward: "I'm still a top-five player at my position." pic.twitter.com/lKZaAaGzGp
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) June 4, 2024
Currently, the top five defensive tackles earn $24 million or more per year, with Chris Jones topping the list at $31.75 million. Only three players 30 years or older earn more than $20 million at the position, with Javon Hargrave being the oldest at 31.
While it may be intriguing to imagine Heyward switching sides and joining Cleveland, it appears doubtful that the Browns (or any other team) will sign a large contract with a guy who will be 36 next season. That might change if Heyward has another double-digit sack season (he has three in his career, including 2021 and 2022), but older defensive linemen tend to age rapidly in the NFL.
