The Pittsburgh Steelers added some depth at the wide receiver position on Thursday, coming to terms with free agent Darrius Heyward-Bey.
Heyward-Bey returns on a one-year deal. Financial terms were not disclosed, but it is likely for the league minimum.
Once a top pick of the Oakland Raiders, Heyward-Bey signed with the Steelers prior to last season and made an impact as a special teams player.
With Antonio Brown, Martavis Bryant and Markus Wheaton already entrenched as the Steelers top three wide receivers, there likely won’t be many passes coming Heyward-Bey’s direction in 2015, but he will fill a valuable role nonetheless.
Heyward-Bey had just three receptions for 33 yards last season, but was one of the Steelers most valuable contributors on special teams, an area they typically struggle in.
The veteran, once the seventh overall draft pick in 2009, seems fine making the sacrifice from starter early in his career to role player at this point.
“I didn’t mind it at all. It’s all about sacrifice,” Heyward-Bey told Steelers.com. “I recognize a lot of people in my position wouldn’t want to do that. But I am a different type of personality. It’s all about the team. I feel like we have a great team, great leaders. If they need me to go out there on special teams and perform, I will do that.”
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