Shaka Heyward

Cincinnati Bengals, Outside Linebacker
Age: 25y-10m-16d (Apr 19, 2000)
Exp: 2 Years
Country: US
College: Duke
Drafted: Undrafted, CIN, 2023
Agent(s): Jumaane Ford (1 of 1 Agency)
2026 Cap Hit

$1,095,000

2026 Cash

$1,095,000

Career Earnings

$1,606,362

2026-2026 Extension (CURRENT)

Shaka Heyward signed a 1 year, $1,095,000 contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, including an average annual salary of $1,095,000. In 2026, Heyward will earn a base salary of $1,075,000 and a workout bonus of $20,000, while carrying a cap hit of $1,095,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $1,095,000
Average Salary:
$1,095,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
GTD at Sign:
Total GTD:
Free Agent:
2027 / ERFA
MANAGE CONTRACT
Year Age Cap HitAnnual Cap % League Cap Cash Annual Cash Cumulative Dead Cap Annual
2026 26 $1,095,000 0.36% $1,095,000 $1,095,000 -
2027 27
ERFA
Year Age Base P5 Salary Workout Bonus Cap Hit Cap % League Dead Cap
2026 26 $1,075,000 $20,000 $1,095,000 0.36% -
2027 27
ERFA
Year Age Base P5 Salary Workout Bonus Cash Total Cash Cumulative Cash Remaining
2026 26 $1,075,000 $20,000 $1,095,000 $1,095,000 $1,095,000
Source: NFL contract specifics generally collected from verified reports.

2024-2025

Contract Terms:
2 yr(s) / $1,755,000
Average Salary:
$877,500
Signing Bonus:
N/A
GTD at Sign:
Total GTD:
Free Agent:
2026 / ERFA
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2023-2025 undrafted

Contract Terms:
3 yr(s) / $2,725,000
Average Salary:
$908,333
Signing Bonus:
$30,000
GTD at Sign:
$30,000
Total GTD:
$30,000
Free Agent:
2026 / RFA
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Seasons

2 Years

Career Earnings thru 2026

$1,606,362

Earnings w/ Different Teams

1 team

Earnings Per Year

Year Age Team(s) Status Cash Total Cash Cumulative Awards
2023 23
Reserve
Retained
$216,000
$30,000
$216,000
$246,000
2024 24
Active
Retained
Retained
$333,528
$162,500
$44,167
$579,528
$742,028
$786,195
2025 25
Active
$820,167
$1,606,362
Total      
$1,606,362
$1,606,362
2026 26
Active
$1,095,000
Total
$2,701,362

Earnings Per Team

Years Team Base Signing Roster Restructure Option Incentives Cash Cumulative
3 $1,455,165 $30,000 - - $8,505 $112,693 $1,606,362
Year Team(s) Age Base Signing Roster Restructure Option Workout Incentives Cash Total Cash Cumulative
2023
23
$216,000
$30,000
$216,000
$30,000
$216,000
$246,000
2024
24
$220,835
$162,500
$44,167
$112,693
$333,528
$162,500
$44,167
$579,528
$742,028
$786,195
2025
25
$811,663
$8,505
$820,167
$1,606,362
Total
$1,455,165
$30,000
$8,505
$112,693
$1,606,362
$1,606,362
2026
26
$1,075,000
$20,000
$1,095,000
Total
$2,530,165
$30,000
$28,505
$112,693
$2,701,362

Earnings Per Team

Years Team Base Signing Roster Restructure Option Incentives Cash Cumulative
3 $1,455,165 $30,000 - - $8,505 $112,693 $1,606,362

Injuries

Year Weeks Reason
2025 CIN 9 - 14 Leg
  • Jan 23, 2026 Signed a contract extension with Cincinnati (CIN)
  • Dec 02, 2024 Signed to the active roster by Cincinnati (CIN)
  • Aug 28, 2024 Signed to the practice squad by Cincinnati (CIN)
  • Aug 27, 2024 Waived by Cincinnati (CIN)
  • Jan 09, 2024 Signed a reserve/future contract with Cincinnati (CIN)
  • Aug 30, 2023 Signed to the practice squad by Cincinnati (CIN)
  • Aug 29, 2023 Waived by Cincinnati (CIN)
  • May 13, 2023 Signed a contract with Cincinnati (CIN)
Year Team GP GS Snaps Snaps% Sack Tackles Total Tackles Solo Tackles Assisted FFum Int
2025 CIN 12 0 36 3.24 0 5 0 5 0 0
2024 CIN 6 0 12 1.06 0 4 3 1 1 0
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