The Pittsburgh Steelers and their fans developed a strong dislike for former New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, largely due to his remarkable success on the field. Facing Brady was always a formidable challenge, and the Steelers found themselves on the losing end of a 12-4 record against him in both regular season and postseason games.
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Steelers' Cam Heyward putting pressure on Patriots' Tom Brady.
Despite having some exceptional pass rushers and defensive players capable of pressuring Brady, the Steelers often struggled to secure victories against him. However, when they did manage to get to him, Brady seemed less formidable, and the Steelers were able to hold their own.
Recently, Steelers captain Cam Heyward appeared on the First We Feast YouTube channel, where he joined Sean Evans for a hot wing challenge. When asked about his favorite player to sack throughout his career, Heyward's answer was straightforward. He relished sacking Brady the most, mainly due to the trash talk Brady used to engage in.
"So it was always fun to sack [Tom] Brady because Brady is going to give it back. He talks a whole bunch. You are going to know when he’s up on the scoreboard. I think Brady is probably my favorite. I am going to go with that answer."
Heyward has tallied three career sacks against Brady—two during Brady’s time with the Patriots and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This isn't the first time Heyward has expressed pride in sacking Brady. In 2023, when Mark Kaboly asked him to name the quarterbacks he had sacked, Brady was the first name Heyward mentioned.
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Steelers' Cam Heyward and TJ Watt celebrate a sack in their Week 12 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Having spent all 13 of his NFL seasons with the Steelers, Heyward recently signed a new contract with the team. The agreement is a three-year, $45 million deal, which includes $29 million in new money and $16 million fully guaranteed, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. This deal ensures that Heyward will finish his distinguished career in Pittsburgh.
This offseason, Heyward generated quite a buzz by skipping Organized Team Activities for the first time in his career as he sought a new deal. Although it took some time for his request to be addressed, Heyward rejoined the team swiftly. He believed it was crucial not to be a distraction and to be present with his teammates.
This decision underscores his character and the role he has played for the Steelers—selfless and relentless. Heyward excels at stopping the run and doing the gritty work that allows other playmakers to shine.
Steelers' Cam Heyward Hungry To Prove His Doubters Wrong In 2024
The Steelers did well by rewarding Heyward with a new deal that reflects his contributions without any drawbacks. Although Heyward, now 35, faces questions from some pundits about his remaining ability, he is confident he has several prime seasons left and aims to play for two or three more years. If Heyward maintains a high level of play in 2024, the Steelers' defense could become elite.
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Steelers' Cam Heyward talking with Tamp Bay's Tom Brady during a home game in Pittsburgh.
In 2023, Heyward appeared to take a slight step back, partly due to an injury he was managing. He has since undergone surgery and should be back to full health. Steeler Nation will be hopeful that Heyward can continue to add to his career sack total of 80.5 and accumulate even more in the upcoming season.
Heyward has admitted he has heard the noise from the doubters. He has screenshotted every negative social media post about him. He will be using it as extra motivation in the upcoming season.
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