Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward knows what lies ahead for his team, ignoring the rumor mill. By nature, linemen focus on the opponent. Not too often, you will hear them speak at length about which players could end up on their team. Entering his 14th season in Steel City, the standout prepares for another season-long slog in the trenches.
Head coach Mike Tomlin knows where the strength of the team resides: the front seven. During his tenure as the head coach, the defense kept the team in games. Over the last few years, this sentiment could not be truer. From Kenny Pickett to Russell Wilson to Justin Fields, quarterback play hurt the team. Now, with rumors swirling, the 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year, Heyward, still does not care.
Cam Heyward Shuts Down External Noise Surrounding Quarterback Rumors
Heyward remains the heart and soul of the Pittsburgh defense. Players come and go all around him, and he continues to compete. The seven-time Pro Bowler enjoyed years of excellent quarterback play with Ben Roethlisberger. The Steelers rarely won in any sort of aesthetically pleasing style. However, a win is a win, regardless of optics.
When Roethlisberger retired in 2021, the quality quarterback play drought started. In the 50 regular-season games since then, the Steelers have only averaged 19.8 points. As a result, the annual need for a quarterback starts every spring.
As news of potentially signing Aaron Rodgers hovers over the team, the four-time All-Pro ignores the possibilities, concentrating solely on current teammates, not future ones. In speaking with Steelers Now, Heyward explained his stance.
“There’s no need to recruit. You roll with who’s here. It’s not guessing. You gotta get to work, you put in. You can’t worry about who’s not here. Same way goes if I was to miss practice. Train keeps going,” Heyward said. “We’ll see what happens. You really just can’t worry about what’s going on outside of here. That’s the way the Steelers have always run the ship.”
35 year old Cam Heyward leads the Steelers in QB Pressures… I just think that’s tremendous. pic.twitter.com/9nQuN1kN3k
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) December 2, 2024
In essence, you can interpret those comments in a couple of ways. First, the workmanlike approach means that the lineman leaves the decision-making and recruitment up to management, preferring practice over publicity and scheme adjustment rather than swimming in the possibilities. Heyward, as a team leader, attempts to keep everything in perspective.
In contrast, his deferring to the organization could mean that he is frustrated with the status quo. On balance, the former seems like the logical explanation. Heyward, at age 36, comes off a Pro Bowl nod. In the twilight of his career, time will tell if you see the Steelers solidify the quarterback situation.