Steelers' New Offensive Scheme For The Tight Ends Detailed By Connor Heyward Ahead Of 2024 Regular Season

The Pittsburgh Steelers' offense has gotten off to a bit more of a rocky start than expected. While many suppositions are being made about new Offensive Coordinator, Arthur Smith, we have only seen vanilla play-calling during the preseason, which has been riddled with injuries and inconsistencies. It started with Russell Wilson's calf strain heading into training camp, which led to increased playing time for Justin Fields and has sparked renewed talk in an overall quarterback controversy.

Concerns about the Steelers' new and improved offensive line have also been raised. An injury to the rookie Troy Fautanu has delayed the plan to move Broderick Jones, last year's first-round selection, to the side of the line where he belongs (left). Instead, with Fautanu out right now, Jones could face competition from Dan Moore Jr. for that spot. 

Another area that is giving analysts pause is the receiver's room. The Steelers traded Diontae Johnson away during the earlier portion of the offseason, and it doesn't seem they have replaced him. They drafted Roman Wilson, but he injured his ankle during the team's first day in pads in training camp. While his injury doesn't appear to be serious, it is unclear when he will return.

Smith is known for running an offense that relies on their tight ends. This is good news, considering the wide receiver position concerns. While the media might be looking in from the outside and expressing worries regarding how the plays coalesce, the players are more optimistic. Tight end Connor Heyward recently told Chris Adamski, a reporter for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, that the offense feels more comfortable than before. 

"The offense feels so much more comfortable to myself and the tight ends," shared Heyward via Adamski's video on X. "Just a feel thing, getting on the same page as the quarterbacks. Whether that's the snap count, or just a feeling thing, when I'm running routes and certain things, and certain things they may do, I think it's been a good adjustment for all of us, and we've all just grown together since OTAs (Organized Team Activities)."

Heyward, the younger brother of All-Pro defender, Cameron Heyward, was a sixth-round selection in 2022. He is listed third on the most recent depth chart behind Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington at the tight end spot, but first as a fullback, which is a position that Smith favors in his offensive scheme as well.

Unsurprisingly, the younger Heyward has also become a fan favorite. He appears eager to please and has shown that he will contribute in any way his coaches need. It seems likely that Heyward will remain on the roster for the 2024 season, but how exactly he will be used is still in question.  

Steelers' Pat Freiermuth Feels Confident About His New Contract

Steelers General Manager Omar Khan has been playing the long game with extending player contracts. The team declined the fifth-year option for Najee Harris, choosing to wait until after the 2024 season. They are doing the same with the elder Heyward, who suffered some injuries during the 2023 season. 

Freiermuth is also eligible for an extension, which seems like a no-brainer. He fits perfectly in with Smith's typical offense. Maybe that is why Freiermuth recently said he feels so optimistic about getting a new contract signed before the start of the season. 

While not the top tight end in the league, Freiermuth has been productive, even if he's been a bit inconsistent. However, it feels unfair to judge any offensive weapons that have had to deal with the Steelers' offense the past few years. The group has been plagued by poor play-calling, quarterback struggles, and a coordinator who failed to use him in Matt Canada. 

Do you believe Heyward's comment that the tight ends are more comfortable in Smith's offense? Click to comment below.

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