The Pittsburgh Steelers are officially on to a new chapter, as they have a new head coach for the first time in almost two decades. There are a bunch of changes that are expected to take place in the coming years as the organization tries to quiet all the haters and doubters. It has been nine seasons since Pittsburgh has experienced a playoff victory, and the fans have been getting very restless. The future is now, and the team has to seize it to make themselves a threat in the AFC again.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers linebacker Jack Sawyer (33) during a postseason matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans.
There is a fear that the upcoming 2026 season would happen without defensive captain Cameron Heyward. He seemed to be very upset about Mike Tomlin leaving the team and being replaced with Mike McCarthy. For a man that will praise anyone and everyone with any chance he gets, he has been radio silent about his new coach, which would imply some disdain from him.
While he stayed silent on McCarthy, he did give some good signs about the upcoming future while making an appearance on The Jim Rome Show.
"I don't want to play anywhere else," Heyward said. "That is a very special place in my heart."
Heyward has been very adamant about being a one-helmet guy, as he has no plans to play elsewhere. He won't be looking for a trade or asking for his release to leave the team. It sounds like he will return to the team for one more ride in 2026, and he will do so happily. The defensive captain will be back to help lead this defense into another tight AFC North divisional race.
Nick Smith / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) during a regular season matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Chargers.
Despite being 36 years old in 2025, Heyward was named as a Second Team All-Pro, and he was universally praised for his high-end play. He wasn't getting to the quarterback as much as he normally has, but he was still a dominant run stuffer in the middle of the defensive line. The big plays were not there, but the necessary tackles were made. He racked up 78 of them, which is the third most of his career.
As long as he plays in 2026, fans should expect something similar to 2025: not making the big highlight-reel splash plays, but doing the dirty work and plugging up the B-gap on his side of the line. As you get older, you have to learn how to adapt and find ways to contribute, and that is exactly what Heyward has done ever since his horrible 2023 season, where he dealt with injuries and inconsistencies.
Steelers Fans Are Still Waiting On Heyward To Speak About New Coach
Despite him seeming cheerful and excited to stick around in Pittsburgh, he has still yet to comment on the Steelers hiring McCarthy. This is the same man that would go to the microphone and either sing Tomlin's praises or defend him from angry fans every chance he got. This transition from always vocalizing his love for a coach to not even really mentioning his name is concerning for good reason.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers' star defensive lineman Cam Heyward and long-time Head Coach Mike Tomlin share a moment as they walk off the field after a game in the Steel City.
Heyward did mention that he has to prepare for the worst, as in being told by the team that they're moving on in a different direction. He wants to be back in Pittsburgh and he is excited to return, but there is still something concerning about how he has spoken in recent weeks. Hopefully, it's just nothing and he will be back on the field in 2026, whether he likes his new head coach or not.
What do you think about Heyward saying that he doesn't want to play anywhere else other than Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB. I will follow back.
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