The Pittsburgh Steelers' longstanding captain, Cam Heyward, has been a pivotal leader for the team since being drafted in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Throughout his career, he has dominated on the defensive line, earning six Pro Bowl nods and three All-Pro selections. Heyward has racked up 80.5 sacks, 647 combined tackles, eight forced fumbles, and two interceptions.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers veteran leader Cam Heyward and Head Coach Mike Tomlin walk off the field after a game in Pittsburgh.
Heyward has been a cornerstone for Pittsburgh over his 13 years with the team. However, this offseason, Heyward announced he would be skipping the start of Organized Team Activities (OTAs), marking the first time in his career he would not attend. He explained that he was doing what was best for him, seeking a new deal from Pittsburgh before the season starts. Although he eventually showed up to OTAs, Heyward mentioned that nothing significantly positive had happened regarding his request, leaving the possibility of a hold-in still on the table.
On Thursday, Heyward was joined by world-famous rapper Lil Wayne on his podcast, Not Just Football. During the podcast, Wayne expressed his amazement at the idea of playing for Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin. Heyward shared the honest truth about playing for such a popular coach, providing an inside look at the experience.
"Mike T., everything's authentic. Ain't nothing fake," Heyward said. "When I talk about Mike T., everybody calls him a players' coach. And I'm like, it's beyond a players' coach because he holds everybody accountable. And he's honest, but he gonna challenge you every day, and there's no running from it. And he's gonna find a way to motivate that person. He ain't gonna do it the same way.”
Tomlin is known as one of the league's favorite coaches among players. On several occasions, players from other teams have expressed their desire to play for him. Heyward highlighted his favorite trait about Tomlin, emphasizing how he treats everyone fairly, though not always equally.
“The one thing I love about him is, I'm gonna treat everybody fair, but not equal. So you might have something that another guy needs, but I'm going to make sure everybody's accountable in this process. So I just love that man and I am one of the few that gets to play with him. And he holds us accountable and everyone is always jealous they do not get a coach like that.”
Heyward and Tomlin share a strong relationship, exemplified by Tomlin's candid remarks when Heyward missed the start of OTAs. Their dynamic as head coach and player is solid, but the only thing missing from Heyward's resume is a Super Bowl win.
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Steelers captain, Cameron Heyward (left) and Head Coach Mike Tomlin (right) talk to one another during a 2022 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Needs To Win Over The Fans In 2024
Tomlin, widely praised as one of the NFL's best coaches, has never had a losing season in his 17 years with the Steelers. However, fans are frustrated by Pittsburgh's lack of playoff success since 2016.
Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin looks on while coaching a practice.
Despite his impressive regular season record, Tomlin has struggled to push the team back into Super Bowl contention. Although the Steelers recently extended Tomlin's contract, some fans are eager for a new direction.
In 2024, Tomlin will have a legitimate quarterback, a robust special teams unit, and a defense filled with playmakers at every level. The schedule is tough, but excuses won’t suffice. If Tomlin fails to secure a playoff win in 2024, the fan base's desire for a new era in Pittsburgh will only intensify.
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