Steelers Remain Content With Risky Cam Heyward Usage

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected defensive lineman Cam Heyward out of Ohio State University in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. The highly anticipated player fell to pick 31 after battling some injuries in his collegiate career. However, Heyward has become one of the greatest defensive players in Steelers history, and he has done so in the back half of his career. He seemingly gets better with age, and he's shown that by being named to his first Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro selection in his age-28 season back in 2017.

Now a seven-time Pro Bowler and four-time First Team All-Pro, Heyward is entering his age-37 season coming off yet another productive year in the Steel City. 

He registered 17 starts and was a huge factor on the defensive line. Heyward's presence alone is a difference-maker, and when he gets going, he's difficult to stop. His high motor and resistance to injury have allowed him to continue playing at such a high level while many players at his position would have already hung up their cleats. 

To put it into perspective, Heyward was drafted the same year as JJ Watt, who has been retired for multiple years. Heyward is one of only a handful of players still in the league from his class; however, he still plays an astronomical amount of snaps. NBC Sports' Michael David Smith outlined just the sheer amount of time Heyward plays, and that maybe the Steelers are resisting the age conversation. 

"Heyward played 832 defensive snaps, the most for any player whose listed position is defensive tackle. And he did that at age 36 as the oldest player in the league at his position. The Steelers clearly weren’t concerned that Heyward couldn’t withstand the punishment of a lot of playing time at age 36, because they also had him on the field for 129 special teams plays, the sixth-most special teams snaps of any defensive tackle in the league last year," Smith wrote. 

These numbers are shocking, but Heyward has been up to the task. He's managed to stay healthy and continue to load up the stat sheet, but how long can this keep up? 

The Steelers will have to decide on Heyward. Would they keep his big role and risk injury or a loss of production, or is his play too valuable? No one can predict the future, but the team seemingly has no care about Heyward's age. 

Until he proves that it is becoming a factor, why should they? The upcoming 2026 campaign is just around the corner, and he'll be the anchor of the defensive line. The unit as a whole will aim for a bounce-back season after a disappointing 2025. 

The ageless wonder will have a group of younger players behind him, like second-year players Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black, whom he will have the chance to mentor. The longtime captain should have no problem replicating his performances from years past, as he's shown no signs of slowing down. 

How The Steelers Prepare For Heyward's Eventual Retirement

As previously mentioned, Pittsburgh has some young talent waiting behind Heyward, but his production will be hard to replicate. The front office knows it's coming, but it will be a tough task to replace a generational contributor. The hope is that Harmon can become a solid player, as he has shown flashes. His first-round pick status holds a lot over him, but after his rookie campaign, there's reason to believe he could be a great defensive lineman. 

Harmon's play won't solely remedy losing Heyward, but the team has been somewhat prepared for a retirement. Heyward is under contract through 2027, so it may not be so soon, especially based on his play. 

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