The Pittsburgh Steelers and defensive tackle Cam Heyward have been synonymous for more than a decade since the NFL franchise selected the former Ohio State star in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
It’s rare for a NFL player to put together a career that lasts more than 10 years in the NFL, but it’s even more rare to spend 13 seasons with the same team. Heyward just wrapped up his 13th campaign — and despite recent injury issues — the Steelers big man continues to prove he can play at a high level when healthy and doesn’t appear to have any plans on walking away from his career with the Steelers anytime soon.
In 2013, Heyward finally got an opportunity to earn his first start and made the most of it. He finished the season with 59 combined tackles (35 solo), seven pass deflections, five sacks, two tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery in 16 games and 13 starts. He finished second on the team (first among defensive linemen) with five sacks and led the team with 31 quarterback pressures. Pro Football Focus ranked him 19th among all the qualified defensive ends in 2013.
The Pittsburgh Steelers opted to pick up Cam Heyward’s fifth-year option in 2014, paying him $6.96M in 2015.
For many players, this is their final year with a team as they don’t live up to expectations for a new contract but Heyward thrived.
He finished the season with 53 combined tackles (33 solo), a career-high 7.5 sacks, and four pass deflections in 16 games and 16 starts. Heyward played in 64 consecutive games during his first four seasons. He received the sixth highest overall grade among all qualified defensive ends from Pro Football Focus in 2014.
The Steelers finished first in the AFC North with an 11–5 record in 2014. On January 3, 2015, Heyward made two combined tackles in a 30–17 loss to the Ravens in the AFC Wildcard game.
On July 16, 2015, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Heyward to a six-year, $59.25 million extension that includes $15 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $12 million. His season was cut short in November due to a torn pectoral muscle, but his best football was still in front of him.
In 2017, Cam Heyward had his best season with the Pittsburgh Steelers since joining the franchise. He finished the year with 45 combined tackles (30 solo), a career-high 12 sacks, and three pass deflections in 15 games and 15 starts and earned First-Team All-Pro honors for the first time in his career.
On September 6, 2020, Heyward signed a four-year, $65.6 million contract extension with the Steelers.
From 2018 to 2022, Heyward solidified himself as one of the most dominant defensive tackles in the NFL. He in four out of those five seasons, he recorded at least eight sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and three or more pass deflections. He was also named as one of the Top 100 players in the NFL six consecutive seasons in a row from 2017-2022.
Over 13 NFL seasons, Heyward has been a leading voice in the locker room and his 80.5 career sacks are the most by a Steelers defensive lineman since 1982 and the second-most by an active NFL defensive tackle. In his nine seasons as a defensive captain, his 116 tackles for loss and 177 quarterback hits both rank third among active defensive linemen. Heyward has earned six Pro Bowl selections, three AP First Team All-Pros, three PFF First Team All-Pro titles, and two Pro Football Writers of America All-NFL nods. Heyward is the second Steelers’ interior defensive lineman to be voted AP First-Team All-Pro more than once.
In 2023, he suffered a groin injury in September and was placed on injured reserve. He ended up only starting in 11 games recording 33 tackles, two sacks and a pass deflection.
Given the massive production and ability to stay healthy for so long, Heyward has become one of the most popular players on the Steelers roster.
Pittsburgh Steelers Veteran Cam Heyward Lashes Out At Fans That Want Him To Retire
Despite coming off his worst statistical season in 2023 due to injury, Heyward was named NFL Walter Payton Man Of The Year after being nominated for the 6th time by his team.
“Cameron Heyward’s character and contributions to his community are recognized by his teammates, the community, and greater NFL family,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “As a Pittsburgh native and a Steeler, he has made a unique contribution to his hometown through his dedication to literacy, mentorship and social justice. His leadership through initiatives such as The Heyward House Foundation, Suiting Up for Success and the Voices of Hope Scholarship have provided those in need crucial support in a time of need. We are extremely proud to name Cameron Heyward as our 2023 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.”
It would be difficult to find a more respected Pittsburgh Steelers player, yet apparently some fans have been attacking him on social media calling for his retirement because of his one down season.
Again, this is a player who just won the NFL’s most prestigious award earlier this month, so it’s rare to see him lash out or do anything that would affect his image.
But on Friday night, Cam Heyward took to social media in a post that was clearly aimed at fans that want him to retire.
Funny how you get hurt and kill yourself just to get back to play and not be 100 percent. Now they want you to retire cuz I was hurt all year🤷🏾♂️🤷🏾♂️🤷🏾♂️ Atleast I know where y’all stand. Yall quick to forget when I am healthy…. But I look forward to reminding yall
— Cam Heyward (@CamHeyward) February 24, 2024
It looks like Heyward’s frustration is coming from the reaction from a minority of the fan base after he released a recent image after an offseason surgery and admitted he played the 2023 season on “one leg.”
Looks like Steelers DL Cam Heyward underwent an offseason surgery pic.twitter.com/KZIM989YiN
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) February 19, 2024
While the majority of replies to his tweet on Friday night were positive, there’s clearly a portion of the fan base who believe it’s time for him to hang it up which prompted him to respond in a significant way.
buddy you make too much money for how often you’re hurt. i use to think you were the last of a dying breed, who belonged on the steelers defenses of the mid-late 2000’s. but you’re just a tweeter and a podcaster that talks too much. take your pay cut or retire
— fakecurtgilbert (@fakecurtgilbert) February 24, 2024
You’ve been great, but the $$ is too much, and in the words of Michael Corleone, “It’s not personal it’s strictly business.”
— Matt (@PGH_Matt724) February 24, 2024
You were on the sidelines for most of the 4th qtr against the Bills. There is no shame hanging it up. Do it before they nudge you out like Harrison, Hines and Troy.
— Denny Casciotti (@yossa72) February 24, 2024
