Joe Haden not worried about slowing down as he enters 12th NFL season, 5th with Steelers

Although Cameron Heyward gets teased by his teammates about being the old man on the Pittsburgh Steelers defense, he is younger than three other players on that side of the ball.

One is cornerback Joe Haden, who is 22 days older than the Pro Bowl defensive tackle.

Haden, though, has escaped the good-natured ribbing Heyward has received, and he knows why.

“You see this baby face?” Haden said Monday afternoon.

Haden might be 32 and entering his 12th NFL season, but he maintains a youthful appearance and, if his offseason training is any indication, a trim physique as he tries to stave off Father Time.

Haden is entering his fifth season with the Steelers, and he believes he is at least as fast as he was when he signed with the team late in the 2017 preseason.

As fast as 10 years ago?

“Maybe not,” he said, smiling.

Playing at an age when many cornerbacks are asked to change positions — or retire — to make room for younger, faster teammates, Haden is firmly entrenched as the Steelers’ left outside corner.

And even though his contract expires at the end of the season, he has made it known he wants to finish his career with the Steelers, which is why his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, approached the organization a few weeks ago about an extension.

“Obviously, I want to stay here,” Haden said. “(It’s) the organization, the staff, coach (Mike Tomlin). I don’t have too much more to say on it, but you know where I want to be.”

The Steelers have enough faith in Haden this season as evidenced by the decision the organization made in March. Needing to trim a high-priced contract from the payroll, the Steelers elected to release outside corner Steve Nelson, who is four years younger than Haden.

Haden’s contract carries a $15.575 million salary cap tag, and his $7 million base salary is second highest on the roster. Still, if there is pressure to show the Steelers that he can be a starting cornerback for them in 2022 and beyond, Haden isn’t feeling it.

“My tape speaks for itself,” he said. “While I’m out there, the best thing I can do in training camp is still covering these dudes. I still feel like I’m running and moving like I have for the last couple of years.”

Tomlin isn’t going to argue with Haden.

“Hey, if he said it, I agree with him,” Tomlin said.

Tomlin is doing his best to keep Haden fresh for the regular season, which is why the cornerback played just one series and five snaps in the third preseason game Saturday night against Detroit. Only T.J. Watt and Stephon Tuitt, who have not practiced in team drills or suited up for games, have seen fewer snaps among the Steelers starters after three games.

“For sure,” Haden said when asked if he’s where he needs to be at this point of the preseason. “I thought I’ve had enough work in. The offseason was great. I still feel healthy. Good to go.”

Haden credits his proverbial fountain of youth feeling to the training he has done in the offseason. It’s the same regimen he estimates he has undertaken since his seventh NFL season.

“I got a full-time physical therapist that lives out here,” Haden said. “In the offseason, it’s more about speed, not lifting weights and trying to get as buff. I’m trying to maintain that top-end speed. Top-end speed and maintaining my body are the two main things.”

Haden is more concerned about who will start at the other corner spot. Cam Sutton was re-signed to a two-year contract to replace Nelson, but last week, he began playing in the slot when the Steelers brought an extra defensive back on the field. Second-year player James Pierre has played outside in such instances.

“We hadn’t focused on that element of it (before) because that’s what we know,” Tomlin said. “We know Cam is inside-capable, so we spent time focusing on others. As we get to the end, we have to get him tooled up and get him ready as an option in that space.”

While Haden likely rests again this week against Carolina in the preseason finale, Pierre will get another chance to show he can play outside if the Steelers decide Sutton is their best option inside.

“We’re still squirreling those nuts,” Tomlin said.