Steelers DE Cam Heyward Puts Rest of NFL on Notice

The Steelers, especially Cam Heyward, have heard the noise from the outside about their sustainability and how they are winning. That topic came up two weeks ago before Pittsburgh went to Cleveland to play the Cleveland Browns, and Heyward railed against the idea that the Steelers did not have a formula to keep winning.

Heyward isn’t worried about a lack of statistical dominance and defended his team’s ability to win games when the going gets tough.

“Who are they judging?” Heyward said. “They’re not in this. Smoke and mirrors? Screw you. We worked too hard for this. These guys dedicate their lives. We try to be a good defense. Smoke and mirrors, I think that’s a cloud of smoke.”

Now that it seems the Steelers have some momentum back, the team is looking positively towards the rest of the season. But Heyward thinks the team has a formula that can not just work to rack up regular season wins but postseason wins, too. Joining Mike Florio on Pro Football Talk, Heyward talked about that sustainable winning style.

“We have a recipe that can work,” Heyward said. “We don’t know how we’re gonna get in there, but we’ve got to get in there. Once you get in the playoffs, all bets are off.”

The Steelers have been getting it done with the NFL’s best turnover margin and key plays on both sides of the ball in the fourth quarter. That bend-but-don’t-break mentality has served the team well, and they don’t care if it means their wins lack style points.

Meanwhile, the offense has hammered home its identity in the rushing attack. Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris are one of the best duos in the NFL, and teams have yet to slow it down. Even when one of the guys in the rotation is off, it seems like the other guy steps up. They will need more from Kenny Pickett and the passing offense to take a true step as a threat, but the team at least has a viability to make some noise if they do.