Category: Cam Heyward

Cam Heyward sets the record straight with struggling defense comments

Cam Heyward clarifies his comments, stating he was not blaming a single player for the Steelers’ defensive struggles.

After three consecutive subpar performances by the Pittsburgh Steelers defense, many are looking for one player in particular to blame.

Cam Heyward unintentionally added fuel to the speculation of a “mysterious struggling player” by commenting on 10 players doing their job and one player dropping the ball following the team’s Week 17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. However, the Steelers defensive tackle clarified his remarks on a teaser for an upcoming episode of his podcast, Not Just Football with Cam Heyward.

Co-host Hayden Walsh began by addressing the misunderstanding, noting that while many assumed Heyward was singling out one specific player for the Steelers’ defensive struggles, the defensive tackle was actually criticizing the defense as a whole. Heyward then reassured fans by explaining exactly what he meant by his comments:

“Guys, I did not mean someone in particular,” Heyward stated. “I’m a grown man. If I have a problem with somebody, I’m gonna go talk to him. And I’m probably talking to him on the field.”

Thankfully, the search for this so-called struggling player can finally be put to rest, allowing the team to focus on their Week 18 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals without further unnecessary distractions.

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Cam Heyward tears into controversial Week 15 officiating vs Eagles

Cam Heyward calls out poor officiating in the Week 15 Steelers-Eagles game that saw several questionable penalty decisions made.

As viewers of the Week 15 contest between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles are well aware, the officiating was—to say the least—terrible.

Veteran Steelers DT Cam Heyward took exception with two poor calls in particular, one that saw his little brother TE/FB Connor Heyward being punched, and the other was TE Darnell Washington being slugged by Eagles CB Darius Slay.

On the most recent episode of Not Just Football with Cam Heyward, the Steelers defensive tackle discussed both of the atrocious officiating decisions: “The reasoning behind those two plays just felt idiotic.”

Heyward would continue to rip into the officials’ decisions and vision on these penalties, arguing that it “did not feel like they even looked at the plays.”

Heyward concluded his analysis and criticism of the officials from Week 15’s contest, describing that, at the very least, the penalties should have offset between Washington and Slay.

Heyward will need to recompose himself, as the team has little time to focus on the poor officiating from Week 15. The Pittsburgh Steelers have the potential to take the AFC North title by defeating the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16, and to do so, every bit of energy and effort will need to be spent on stopping the Lamar Jackson-led offense.

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PFF argues Cam Heyward deserves more 2024 DPOY recognition

35 year old DT Cam Heyward’s case for DPOY in 2024 gains traction, thanks to his incredible production in 2024.

Not only is DT Cam Heyward seemingly unable to age, but he is also putting together one of his best seasons to date at 35 years old. In what can only be described as a similar situation to Benjamin Button, Pro Football Focus has taken notice of Heyward’s dominance in 2024.

The ever-polarizing PFF has typically been unkind to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but no one can deny Heyward’s phenomenal start to the season. Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus argued that Heyward’s case for Defensive Player of the Year in 2024 isn’t so far-fetched.

Locker stated that Heyward’s consideration for the award is based on his production for his age and his ability to excel against both the pass and the run: “In fact, Heyward is one of two NFL defenders to have a 90.0-plus pass-rushing and 80.0-plus run-defense grade, joining Lions safety Brian Branch.”

If Heyward can continue his excellence through the final four games of the Steelers’ season, should he be considered over Watt for the award? While prestigious, one can assume Heyward would prefer a different trophy in 2024: a Lombardi.

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Cam Heyward calls out NFL over Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair suspension

Cam Heyward shares his thoughts on Azeez Al-Shaair’s suspension, questioning the NFL’s consistency in enforcing suspensions and fines.

One of the biggest stories in the NFL right now is Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair being suspended for three games following a late hit on Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence, a hit that forced Jacksonville to place their quarterback on IR. Steelers DT Cam Heyward, one of the NFL’s most respected veteran defenders, shared his thoughts on the matter on the most recent episode of his podcast, Not Just Football with Cam Heyward.

Heyward acknowledged the hit on Lawrence was dirty but described it as a “bang-bang call”, arguing defenders must be cautious of fake slides and whether a QB is truly giving themselves up.

Another interesting argument that Heyward made, one that no one seems to be mentioning, is that the NFL’s Vice President of the Policy and Rules administration, John Runyan, has more than his fair share of ‘dirty’ plays.  The Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle argued that Runyan and the NFL suspending Azeez was like “the pot calling the kettle black.”

While Azeez’s appeal was denied, Heyward raises important questions about whether the NFL is consistent in enforcing suspensions and fines.

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Steelers DT discusses brutal hit on Bengals RB

Cam Heyward reflects on the huge Chase Brown hit and the ensuing reaction, showcasing his dominant season as the Steelers’ veteran leader.

One of the biggest hits of the season took place between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13.  Co-host of the Not Just Football with Cam Heyward podcast, Hayden Walsh, asked the Steelers defensive tackle to discuss the play where he blew up Bengals RB Chase Brown in the backfield during Week 13. Though unintentional, Heyward stated that officials during the game informed him that while the hit was clean, stepping over Brown went too far.

The Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman hilariously referenced the photo of him standing over Brown, comparing it to NBA’s Allen Iverson standing over Tyronn Lue, but explained that he was simply trying to stand up after making the play.

Walsh continued to stir the pot, letting Heyward know that the play caused him, like most of the Steel City, to jump out of their seats. Heyward chuckled, stating, “I was trying to wake up everyone in the seats.”

Plays like the one where Heyward blew up Brown on the run have become increasingly common in recent weeks for the Steelers defensive tackle. At 35 years old, Heyward continues to turn back the clock, putting together a career year this season.

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Joe Burrow praises Steelers’ Cameron Heyward after dominant performance

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow lauds standout performance by Pittsburgh Steelers veteran defender Cameron Heyward.

In the aftermath of a frustrating offensive performance, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow took a moment to spotlight an opponent who made a significant impact: Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward.

After a challenging 2023 season marred by injury, Heyward has roared back in 2024, delivering another standout showing with five tackles, including two for loss, a pass defended, and his fifth sack of the season.

Burrow acknowledged Heyward’s pivotal 3rd quarter sack, an eight-yard loss that underscored the veteran defender’s dominant presence.

“Cam Heyward made a great play,” Burrow said of his takedown by Heyward.

The performance further cements Heyward’s reputation as a relentless force and locker room leader.

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Steelers DT welcomes the challenge tough six-game stretch brings

The Steelers face a challenging six-game stretch, but Cam Heyward’s leadership offers a steady focus on improvement and perseverance.

Competition breeds excellence! Within this final six-game stretch to end the 2024 season, the Pittsburgh Steelers will face the Cincinnati Bengals’ explosive offense twice, three fearsome Super Bowl contenders in the Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, and Philadelphia Eagles, as well as the Cleveland Browns, who already defeated Pittsburgh once this season. However, Steelers DT Cam Heyward offers an interesting perspective on how the team should handle the troubling schedule realization.

During Wednesday’s media availability leading up to the Week 13 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals, Heyward stated, “I think when you look at our schedule, you know you can’t change anything. You can’t cry about it. I think you look at it as who’s next on the list and how can we improve from our last performance.”

As a veteran presence and leader in the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room, Heyward checked all the right boxes you’d want in a proper rallying speech heading into this tough six-game stretch.

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DT Cam Heyward blasts Urban Meyer for Ohio State alumni disrespect

Cam Heyward criticizes Urban Meyer for dismissing alumni like Mike Vrabel and praises Ryan Day for restoring Ohio State’s connections.

It is safe to say Pittsburgh Steelers DT Cam Heyward may share something in common with much of the Jacksonville Jaguars fanbase: their dislike of former HC Urban Meyer.

On the defensive tackle’s podcast, Not Just Football with Cam Heyward, the veteran Steeler was asked his opinion on the recent comments fellow Ohio State alumnus Mike Vrabel made about Meyer. Vrabel had worked with Meyer, who was the head coach of Ohio State from 2012 to 2018 and defensive line coach from 2012 to 2013, but when the two met in the NFL, Meyer pretended he didn’t know who he was.

Heyward didn’t hold back with his comments: “I got a lot of respect for Vrabes, so to hear someone like Urban Meyer, who won a championship with that guy, kind of spit in his face with that comment, I’m not for that. There’s a reason why when I left there, there was a drop-off in communication with alumni.”

Heyward continued to air his frustrations with Meyer but credited current Ohio State HC Ryan Day with repairing the damage Meyer had done.

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Pittsburgh Steelers DT denies weather caused Week 12 loss

DT Cam Heyward dismissed the ‘bad weather’ excuse for the Steelers’ loss, emphasizing execution as the key factor against Cleveland.

It appears Steelers DT Cam Heyward needs to have a chat with WR George Pickens about making zero excuses for a loss. While Pickens blamed the team’s Week 12 loss to the Cleveland Browns on bad weather, Heyward recently dismissed this sentiment on his podcast, Not Just Football with Cam Heyward.

On episode 97—a truly fitting number for Heyward—the veteran Steeler tackled claims that weather played any role in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ loss to the Cleveland Browns: “Fourth down, I thought we were going to get off the field, and you know, that’s going to stick with me. But we had our opportunities. They executed better, and the weather really didn’t play a part because both teams had to deal with it.”

Fans can empathize with Heyward’s disappointment in his defense and the Pittsburgh Steelers as a whole, but the team will look to get back on track against a tough divisional rival, the Cincinnati Bengals, on December 1 at 1:00 PM EST.

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Did Cam Heyward discover the fountain of youth?

Cam Heyward’s elite 2024 play has been pivotal for the Steelers’ defense, proving age is just a number for the veteran DT.

Cam Heyward has either perfected time travel, discovered the fountain of youth, or is doing his greatest Benjamin Button impersonation in 2024, as the Steelers’ DT continues to turn back the clock with his elite play at 35 years old.

With an impressive five sacks, 14 QB hits, six tackles for loss, and a whopping 31 QB pressures, PFF considers Heyward the best defensive lineman of 2024 so far.

Throughout Heyward’s illustrious 14-year career, the Steelers’ DT has accumulated 85.5 sacks, 127 TFLs, 193 QB hits, and eight forced fumbles.

Heyward’s play in 2024 has been a pivotal factor in not only the team’s fourth-ranked defense against the run but also the overall success of the 7-2 Pittsburgh Steelers.

While teammate T.J. Watt is considered a favorite for the Defensive Player of the Year award, Heyward is looking more and more like a dark horse candidate with each passing week.

Heyward will face a tough challenge in Week 11 as he and the Steelers take on the 7-3 Baltimore Ravens on November 17th at 1:00 PM EST.

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