VERIFIED DEAL: The Pittsburghs Steelers have formally defeated the Green Bay Packers in the race to sign a highly experienced Quatreback from the San Francisco 49ers for a three-year, $175 million contract. Fans are disappointed to see their rivals Excel

The All-Pro is back in the building

Heyward is currently seeking an extension on his contract. He told Steelers Now that he hopes to play two or three more years, but preferably three. He also noted that he hopes to continue playing for the Steelers on an extension, but hinted that he would play elsewhere if that’s what was needed.

Heyward just turned 35 in May, and is coming off a year in which he missed six games due to a groin injury sustained in Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers.

Pittsburgh has shown that this is a new era in terms of how contracts and extensions are handled. They declined to pick up the fifth-year option for running back Najee Harris and did not extend guard James Daniels.

Heyward was selected in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft and is a six-time Pro Bowl selection, as well as a three-time All-Pro.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been the epicenter of trades throughout the NFL offseason.

Pittsburgh was part of three major trades in the NFL during the month of March. They traded wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a sixth-round pick and cornerback Donte Jackson, and shortly after traded quarterback Kenny Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles, followed by the acquisition of Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears.

And they still may not be done.

Pittsburgh needs a No. 2 boundary receiver, and it’s likely they will acquire one via trade or free agency. Whether it be Courtland Sutton, Treylon Burks, Darius Slayton, or Michael Thomas, a new receiver is all but certainly going to be in Pittsburgh before Week 1. With that in mind, former NFL general manager Michael Lombardi says the Steelers were close to landing either Brandon Aiyuk for Deebo Samuel from the San Francisco 49ers.