The Pittsburgh Steelers have been very active in the 2026 offseason. After an explosive first day of the legal tampering period and a quiet couple of days after that, they signed a big-time free agent in Jaquan Brisker to add some more depth in the secondary. General Manager Omar Khan has been very aggressive, and more moves are expected to come. He has lost quite a bit of talent in free agency as well, and as more free agents get signed, more former Steelers players will end up moving elsewhere, or they come back on possible cheaper deals.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan picks up the phone in the team's war room during the 2023 NFL Draft weekend.
The Steelers just lost another player that they were hoping to retain. NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that utility man/special teams ace Connor Heyward has a new home and a new deal with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Fullback news: Connor Heyward has agreed to terms with the #Raiders on a 2-year, $5.5M max value deal with $2M fully guaranteed, per agent @PerrettM of @PrioritySports.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 12, 2026
The #Steelers wanted Heyward back, but Klint Kubiak wants him as his FB for what he’s building in Vegas. pic.twitter.com/nDdrPjMcMj
As Rapoport mentioned, the Steelers did want Heyward back, as he was very valuable as a special teamer. He also became a Tush Push specialist as the year went on, and he did great with that. Of course, keeping him would also keep his brother Cameron Heyward happy, but it just ended up not working out that way. He is off to find out what his role will be with a new, young, offensive-minded head coach.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A5552-544x306.jpg "Steelers - Connor Heyward")
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Former Steelers tight end Connor Heyward (#83) jogs on the field as the team practices at St. Vincent College during 2023 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
At the end of the day, special teamers like Connor Heyward are a dime a dozen. $2.75 million per year is not much, and only part of that is guaranteed, but players like that can be found in the late rounds of the draft, as undrafted free agents, or as cheap options. Miles Killebrew, the former special teams captain for Pittsburgh, signed for much less than that.
Steelers' New System Is Not Friendly To Tight Ends
In the previous two seasons, the Steelers ran a multi-tight end package that allowed Heyward to play on offense while also working on special teams. Now, however, there is expected to be a drastic shift to a three-wide receiver set, which means there will be very few times for him to see the field, if any.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Connor Heyward celebrates with his brother Cam Heyward after scoring a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens in 2025.
His spot will likely be taken by a late-round tight end selection to add depth.
What do you think about Heyward signing with the Raiders? Let us know on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
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