Steelers Make Potentially Telling Move for TE Connor Heyward’s Future

Fourth-year playmaker Connor Heyward explained to reporters at OTAs that he was preparing to play more fullback this season. How the Pittsburgh Steelers plan to utilize Heyward, though, could change again with the team’s latest acquisition.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported Monday the Steelers acquired veteran tight end Jonnu Smith, along with cornerback Jalen Ramsey, from the Miami Dolphins. With the acquisition, Heyward will move down the Steelers tight end depth chart.

Heyward could be bumped at fullback as well.

“What I have been told is the Steelers’ view Jonnu Smith as a TE, a slot WR and a fullback — they will use him in a very hybrid way in Arthur Smith’s offense,” wrote Steelers insider Mark Kaboly on X.

With Smith, it’s worth wondering if Heyward will have a Steelers roster spot at all after the preseason.

Connor Heyward’s Role With Steelers in 2025?

Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith loves playing a lot of tight ends. The projected depth chart for the Steelers has Heyward as the team’s No. 4 tight end even after acquiring Smith.

So, for Heyward to be a cut candidate, undrafted rookie tight end J.J. Galbreath will probably have to shine during training camp.

But the writing appears to be on the wall for Heyward with the team acquiring Smith. Any role Heyward has on offense in 2025 is likely to be small unless the team has significant injuries at tight end.

Last season, Heyward played 207 offensive snaps. That was nearly half the snaps he played on offense in 2023 before the Steelers hired Smith as offensive coordinator.

Any extra snaps Heyward would have received at fullback in 2025 may go to the team’s newest acquisition now. Jonnu Smith posted a career-best 88 catches and 884 receiving yards along with eight touchdowns last season.

It makes the most sense for the Steelers to get Smith on the field as much as possible.

Heyward has 41 catches, 358 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 51 career games. Last season, he registered six grabs for 40 yards with a score.

Is Heyward a Steelers Cut Candidate?

With the likelihood of Connor Heyward playing a minimum role on offense, the question should be asked whether the 26-year-old will be worth a roster spot.

The answer to that question is going to depend on a lot of things.

Again, Galbreath is the first potential factor. The undrafted free agent may not progress enough to push Heyward out of the No. 4 tight end role.

Heyward also possesses a significant role on special teams. Last season, he played a career-high 303 special teams snaps.

Heyward’s versatility as a depth tight end, another fullback option and special teams contributor makes him a potentially irreplaceable player on the 53-man roster.

What the Steelers plan to do on the roster at running back could also potentially impact Heyward.

Behind top two running backs Jaylen Warren and Kaleb Johnson, the Steelers have Kenneth Gainwell, Trey Sermon, Cordarrelle Patterson, Evan Hull and Max Hurleman.

If the Steelers keep Gainwell or Sermon as the RB3, will the team find another roster spot for Patterson as a special teams returner? If so, Heyward could be on the chopping block.

However, that’s probably not a likely scenario. Patterson struggled returning kickoffs last season, and he doesn’t return punts. If Patterson can’t be the team’s No. 3 running back, he probably won’t make the roster.

It’s too early to project Heyward is a cut candidate for the Steelers. But there’s little doubt that Heyward’s roster spot in Pittsburgh isn’t as secure as it was before the Steelers acquired Smith.

Additionally, next spring, Heyward is set to be an unrestricted free agent.