Pittsburgh Steelers Steelers Commentary
Should Steelers DT Cameron Heyward be in DPOY Conversation?
Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward is playing arguably the best football of his career, but should he be considered among the best?
PITTSBURGH — Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward has been proving all of his doubters wrong as he’s having maybe the best year of his 14-year NFL career, but is it time to start considering him as one of the best defenders in the league?
Through 13 games, Heyward has registered 55 tackles (29 solo) and eight sacks. Those aren’t monster numbers by any means but having that production as a 35-year-old interior defensive lineman is impressive.
That’s why Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin believes Heyward deserves at least a look.
“He is playing really well. I mean, he is outstanding. I wouldn’t know who I’d trade him for,” Austin said. “I mean, I’d love to have him in that discussion. I’m not a part of that. That’s not my purview. But, if he got it, would I be surprised? No.”
To help Heyward’s case, no other defenders seem to be blowing up the stat sheet this season, either. Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson currently leads the league in sacks with 12.5, but even he isn’t the favorite to win this year’s NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.
That would be Heyward’s teammate, linebacker T.J. Watt, who has 47 tackles (33 solo), 9.5 sacks and five forced fumbles on the season.
Watt has already been snubbed of the award a couple of times, but it doesn’t sound like he would be upset if Heyward won it this year.
“Cam’s a hell of a player,” Watt said. “No surprises out of us in this locker room because we see how much he’s worked since I walked in the door here. I think he’s having a hell of a season and it seems like he’s like wine, man. He gets better with age.”
It has been quite the comeback for Heyward after he missed six games in 2023 due to several injuries. When he was on the field, he wasn’t the same player, either, finishing the year with just 33 tackles (25 solo) and two sacks. It was his worst statistical season since 2016 when he played in just seven games due to injury.
As a result, many didn’t want the Steelers to extend him this offseason, but the team chose to do otherwise, signing him to a two-year contract extension.
It turns out that was the right decision, and given his production, he may have even come at a discount. Austin sure thinks that’s the case.
“Last year, he kind of fought back because he came back from the injuries. He wasn’t quite himself. But you see him, and the things I admire, obviously his play, but his leadership,” Austin said. “I think that all rubs off on some of the younger guys. In addition to how well he’s playing, I think the way he conducts business, the way he carries himself is really important and valuable for our room. Not just the D-line, but just for our room.”
Heyward will still likely be considered a long shot to win DPOY, given his position, but he has four more games to change minds.
Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick also thinks what Heyward brings intangibly to the team should be taken into account.
“He’s a guy that plays at a high level, provides splash when we need it,” Fitzpatrick said. “He’s been doing it for a long time, so you see a guy like that making plays, I feel like it energizes a lot of people.”
Only time will tell if Heyward can put enough on the stat sheet to win his first DPOY, but he can continue building upon his case in Week 15 when the Steelers take on the Eagles in Philadelphia.
Alan Saunders provided reporting from Pittsburgh.
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