Veteran defensive lineman Cameron Heyward agreed to a three-year contract Tuesday, the Steelers  announced. The deal runs through the 2026 season, Joe Rutter of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports..

The contract is worth $45 million and includes $29 million in new money and $16 million guaranteed, with nearly $15 million in signing bonus, according to ESPN.

The $16 million guaranteed matches what Heyward was scheduled to earn in base salary this season. By giving Heyward a signing bonus, the Steelers can reduce his salary cap hit for this season by approximately $9 million.

Heyward, 35, was entering the final year of his contract and said he wanted to play three more seasons. A week ago, however, Heyward wasn’t optimistic about the two sides reaching an agreement.

“I just want to play. I want to be here,” he said. “I want to have one helmet, but that is for them to decide.”

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