Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward has been named to the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) All-AFC team, marking another accolade in his 15th season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Heyward is the only member of the Steelers to be included on this year’s list.
Earlier in January, Heyward was also selected as a second-team Associated Press All-Pro. In addition, he received first-team All-Pro honors from Pro Football Focus (PFF). 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.'”
Heyward finished the regular season with 78 total tackles—38 of them solo—alongside nine tackles for loss, six passes defensed, three and a half sacks, and one forced fumble.
His performance was particularly noted during a recent game against the Baltimore Ravens. On a significant 41-yard run by Ravens running back Derrick Henry, Heyward managed to make the downfield tackle despite sustaining an injury on the play. He returned immediately after.
“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.”
Heyward has served as a defensive captain for eleven consecutive years and continues to mentor younger teammates.
Rookie outside linebacker Jack Sawyer spoke about Heyward’s influence: “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.”
