The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently in a serious contract dispute with one of the best defensive players in the NFL in TJ Watt. Hope remains that the star edge rusher and the organization will come to an agreement, but for now, veteran lineman, Cam Heyward, will act as the main leader of the unit. While the offense has seen a lot of changes, the defense has as well, but the biggest constant remains Heyward as he enters his 15th professional season. Father Time typically catches up to players later on in their careers, but the former Walter Payton Man of the Year seems to come back strong each year, regardless of age.
It truly has been remarkable to see what Heyward has been able to do year over year. At 36 years old, he still seems like he has enough in the tank to play more than just two more professional seasons, as his contract expires after the 2026 campaign. It is likely that he hangs up his cleats after that, but it's hard to know for sure simply because of just how effective he has been.
Heyward sat down to speak with the hosts of The PM Team w/Poni & Mueller on Monday, and while the group didn't talk too much about football, one thing that came up was Heyward's approach to the offseason now compared to when he was in his mid-20s. He was very direct in his answer, and has been deliberate in making sure he is ready for the regular season.
"A lot smarter," Heyward began. "Starting a lot earlier [in the offseason] now. I feel like I took like, what, a week or two off, and I was already back training."
Some players will take a lot more than just a week or two off before getting their offseasons into full swing. That used to be the case for Heyward, as he noted how long he used to take a little break for.
"Yeah, take a month off, but like now, it's just trying to sustain stuff and just keep building so I don't have to have that big lull to get back where I was."
This dedication shows just how much Heyward wants to continue to play for the Steelers. He hasn't been able to capture a Super Bowl, which is one of the few things left remaining that he still has to accomplish. He already has a Hall of Fame résumé, but he trains in the offseason now harder than he did when he was still making a name for himself in the NFL; that speaks volumes.
Heyward is the epitome of how a Steeler should act and play like, which is why fans are so thankful that he has been in the Steel City since 2011. The consistency that he has always displayed at the line of scrimmage, while also being a top-notch leader in the clubhouse cannot go understated. The Steelers are lucky to have him, and it's special to hear that he is working harder than ever to be ready for the 2025 season.
It's natural for players to get a bit slower as they age, and a decrease in production typically comes with that. For Heyward, he was 35 years of age in 2024 and played in all 17 regular season games. He had 11 passes defended and eight sacks. To top it off, he was an All-Pro for the fourth time in his career.
Steelers Fans Have To Appreciate Heyward While He Is Still Playing
One day, fans in the Steel City will miss watching the dominant defensive lineman play on Sundays. No one wants to rush the final two seasons of his contract, so it is imperative that the black and gold faithful take it all in while he is still suiting up. The Steelers haven't had a lot of great consistency since the franchise's last playoff win in 2016, but Heyward has been phenomenal, all while defying Father Time.
