Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward has been named to the 2025 Associated Press All-Pro team as a second-team selection, marking him as the only representative from the Pittsburgh Steelers this year. This recognition is Heyward’s sixth career appearance on an AP All-Pro team, including four first-team and now two second-team honors. He joins Hall of Famer Joe Greene as the only interior defensive linemen in franchise history to earn First-Team AP All-Pro status four times.
Heyward, currently in his 15th NFL season, continues to be a significant contributor for the Steelers’ defense. He finished the regular season with 78 total tackles—38 of them solo—along with nine tackles for loss, six passes defensed, three and a half sacks, and one forced fumble. Earlier this week, Pro Football Focus (PFF) also named him first-team All-Pro. According to PFF: “Heyward is the only interior defender to ‘earn a 90.0-plus PFF grade this season and the only player at the position to post PFF grades above 80.0 as both a pass-rusher and a run defender.'”
His recent performance against the Baltimore Ravens highlighted his ongoing impact; after making a downfield tackle on Derrick Henry’s 41-yard run and sustaining an injury on the play, Heyward returned immediately.
“That just shows his resiliency and his want-to and will to come out here and work at his age,” said fellow defensive tackle Keeanu Benton. “I think he’s still got some more in the tank. He’s a heck of a player.
“That’s why you see me (chasing players downfield) now. Seeing him, even in practice, it starts in practice with him turning and running. You see it on film. The young guys see it on film. You just see people start to change.”
Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin added: “He’s been that way,” said Austin. “He’s played well all year. He’s always been, as we all know, really good against the run.
“But you watch in terms of his effort and his leadership and all that stuff, it’s just top notch. And when you get into thick moments like that, when you get into games where every snap is counting, a win-or-go-home moment, you like those guys to be out in front. And he was right out front.”
Heyward serves as defensive captain for an 11th consecutive year—a role that has made him an example for younger teammates such as rookie outside linebacker Jack Sawyer.
“I haven’t really known Cam that long, but I feel like I’ve been watching him play since I was about five years old on TV,” said Sawyer. “So, I like to mess with him about that at the meeting, stuff like that.
“So seeing him do it at this level still it’s unreal.
“When you see him come in here every day, and the way he carries himself, he’s always in a good mood, he’s happy, he’s smiling, and he is having fun. Like he’s a rookie again, and he’s 36-years old, Year 15 or whatever.
“It’s exceptional. He’s a rare guy especially playing inside in the NFL is not an easy job to do and being able to do it for that long at this level is unreal.”
The Steelers have recognized standout players throughout their history by inducting figures such as Terry Bradshaw and Joe Greene into their Hall of Honor (official website). The franchise has also achieved notable success with six Super Bowl championships (official website), reflecting its longstanding tradition within professional football.
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