Cam Heyward Wishes Joe Haden a Happy Retirement

Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward wishes former teammate Joe Haden a happy retirement in an Instagram post on Thursday. Haden will retire on Thursday after signing a one day contract with the Cleveland Browns after playing seven years with the team.

After being released from Cleveland, Haden hooked on with the Steelers for five seasons. They got him to the playoffs for the first time, but they did not sign him to a contract after the 2021 season. With Haden not finding any suitors, he decided to call it a career.

For someone like Heyward, who is a veteran and welcomed Joe Haden into the organization with open arms, he reflected upon those memories with plenty of nostalgia. Heyward said that Haden will always be a Steeler to him, even though he will retire a Cleveland Brown.

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“Didn’t comment yesterday, but I wanted to say congratulations on my brother Joe Haden’s retirement,” Heyward wrote in his post. “It started out as just respect for you as we played each other but then when you became to Pittsburgh we became family. Your good vibes, your heart, you being a team player always, your leadership, your swag, we see you only as a Pittsburgh Steeler my dude. Rest up my dude you deserve it all.”

Over his career, Haden was an All-Pro, Pro Bowler, and elite cornerback. He was a stalwart for the Steelers on their late 2010s and early 2020 teams. That will make teammates like Heyward remember him fondly.