The Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to a three-year contract with wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, the team announced.
NFL Network is reporting that the deal is worth $3.8 million. The 29-year-old receiver played for a $745,000 salary in 2015. On Tuesday, Heyward-Bey tweeted a photo of himself signing his new deal.
3more years with the best organization in the NFL.Thanks for all the love and support. Now let's work! #KillerBees pic.twitter.com/EDUmIyktAV
— Darrius Heyward-Bey (@theDHB85) March 8, 2016
He has earned the trust of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger during his time with the Steelers and has also been an excellent special teams contributor.
With zero 1,000-yard seasons, Heyward-Bey hasn't posted the numbers typical of a No. 7 overall pick. He hasn't surpassed 600 yards since 2012, his final year with Oakland. But he was reliable for Pittsburgh last season with 21 catches for 314 yards in spot duty.
The Steelers drafted receiver Sammie Coates in the third round, but Heyward-Bey secured his No. 4 receiver job throughout 2015, keeping Coates on the sideline.
Coach Mike Tomlin is a big fan of Heyward-Bey, who returned in 2015 largely because of his coach.
