The Pittsburgh Steelers announced their team captains this past Monday, and there are some new faces in the mix. Cameron Heyward of course was voted again as defensive captain, and was joined by fellow All-Pro and reigning Defensive Player of the Year, TJ Watt.
Jordan Schofield-SteelerNation.com
The offense has some new faces at captain now that Ben Roethlisberger has hung up the cleats. Newly announced starting quarterback, Mitch Trubisky, and Pro Bowl running back, Najee Harris have been named offensive captains. Miles Killebrew has been named special teams captain.
Watt has been a captain for the team once before, but otherwise (other than Heyward), everyone else is new to the station. Heyward opened up about the new captains.
Cameron Hayward Says Harris Was Destined To Be Captain
Heyward was asked about Harris being elected as a second year guy:
"I think it just really shows the leadership he has. He’s a guy who leads by example, doesn’t say a lot. I just think he was destined to be captain. He’s a guy when you looked at our roster, he’s the bell cow. Sure, we’ve had bell cows that haven’t been captains, but it’s what he does off the field. He is locked in. Guys follow him. He’s learning how to challenge guys. He’s going to be that one guy years down the road you’re going to be saying Najee Harris, Steelers’ captain again and again and again."
This is high praise for the young running back. Heyward has often praised Harris and has tried his best to help him settle into life in the NFL as well as life in Pittsburgh.
Harris is coming off a stellar rookie year in which he rushed for 1200 yards and 7 touchdowns. On top of this he reeled in 74 receptions for 467 yards and 3 touchdowns. He was voted to the Pro Bowl as an alternate. He will look to build off his fantastic year and look to fulfill his duties as captain and lead this team.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Najee Harris (#22) warms up at Acrisure Stadium in a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks on August 13, 2022 in Pittsburgh, PA. | Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Cameron Heyward Weighs In On Mitch Trubisky
Heyward was subsequently asked about Trubisky and what qualities he’s shown in such a short time:
"I just think he’s a guy people rally around. He’s all about team, he’s very bought in. He understands, Coach T [Mike Tomlin] says it, you know he’s carrying our hopes and dreams on every single play. I think he’s just gotten more and more comfortable and guys are excited to play for him.""I think he’s came in with the right mindset. Just trying to get better. It’s not always easy being the quarterback position. Everybody’s just appreciated what they’ve done. All three quarterbacks have just been great if I’m being honest, but Mitch is the guy we’re riding with and he’s allowed us to have a lot of trust in him.”
Trubisky is coming off a year as a backup for the Buffalo Bills. He sat behind one of the best young quarterbacks in the league in Josh Allen, and said he felt it was good for him to reset.
Trubisky has led the Chicago Bears to the playoffs twice and a division title in 2018, his best year as a pro. He has been named the starter for Week 1 along with his captaincy.
Cameron Heyward Talks About TJ Watt, Past Teammates, and Himself
Heyward was asked about what it’s like being the “last of the Mohicans.” He had this to say:
"I think it’s a joy to be here. You start thinking about your draft class and who’s left. I appreciate those moments, I don’t take them for granted. I really do go in with a new perspective every year, just trying to get better. All of those guys who have not only gone different places, but retired and had to do other things. I wear them on my sleeves. I appreciate them. I don’t have a 12-year career without every teammate I’ve had. I represent those guys even though they retired. Hopefully one day I can say we won a Super Bowl because of those guys."
Heyward was asked about Watt and what he appreciates about him and his leadership:
"He’s always growing in that front. I know TJ said it before, he was more of a quieter guy when he first got here, but you know, as I get older and he starts to grow, I like seeing that one day down the road, it’s going to be in good hands. He’s grown in that front. He’s all about the team. He’s starting to encompass just bringing guys together. His play speaks for itself. You’re not Defensive Player of the Year without playing some type of way. The way he challenges guys and has just matured and become a bigger captain and a better captain because of it.”
Heyward seems very proud of those who were selected and after hearing him speak of them and their qualities, it seemed like a no-brainer that these were the guys selected.
His full interview can be seen here.
This new group of captains will look to lead this team into battle week in and week out, and try to keep the standard high. The season kicks off this Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. It will definitely be an interesting one to monitor as this team goes into battle without Roethlisberger for the first time since 2004.
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