Offseason of Praise Continues as Steelers’ Star DT Climbs in NFL Top 100

For well over a decade, Cameron Heyward has been synonymous with the Pittsburgh Steelers organization. The former 31st overall NFL Draft pick is now in the twilight of his career, but you wouldn’t be able to tell by judging his most recent effort.

Coming off a bounce-back 2024 campaign, Heyward is climbing up the ranks. In this summer’s edition of the NFL’s “Top 100 Players” list, he jumps from 98th to 83rd overall.

Heyward’s peers voted him in as one of the greats, which shouldn’t come as a surprise. His teammates are also on board with the ranking.

Cameron Heyward Earns Another Honor, Teammate Gushes Over Leadership

In the NFL’s story on the list, digital content producer Bobby Kownack expanded on Heyward’s achievement.

“Father Time is undefeated, but he occasionally takes vacations,” Kownack wrote. “Heyward enjoyed one of the finest seasons of his career at age 35, a statement that could be said yearly starting with a run of seven Pro Bowls in eight campaigns dating back to 2017. Heyward was the black hole in the middle of Pittsburgh’s sixth-ranked rushing defense, closing lanes and engulfing runners with regularity. Fourteen seasons into his career, he posted an 87.1 PFF pass-rushing grade, the best he’s had yet.”

Kownack adds that according to NFL Pro data, the Steelers’ run defense was much better with Heyward. When he was on the field, they surrendered just 3.7 yards per carry. With him on the sideline, that figure jumped to an average of 5.1.

Linebacker Patrick Queen is amazed by his teammate’s longevity. Heyward’s 2024-25 production defied the odds in a major way.

“The old man’s doing it good right now,” Queen said. “I can’t describe it. I think, what, it’s year 15 for him? It’s just crazy.”

Heyward’s leadership also stands out. He’s regarded by many as the heart and soul of a great defense and an elite defensive line.

“The way he approaches the game, the way he cares,” Queen said. “In the speeches, you can hear how much it means to him. I couldn’t think of a better leader for our defense [and] our team than that guy.”

Heyward Will Look to Outlast Father Time for Steelers Again in 2025

Just two seasons ago, Heyward looked like his career was bordering on life support. The veteran interior lineman struggled to stay healthy and produced just two sacks in 11 games. Last year, though, he came back with a vengeance. Not only did he up his sack total to 8, but he started in all 17 games and notched a first-team All-Pro nod for the first time since 2021.

A fellow 30-plus star is well aware of Heyward’s impact. In the NFL’s video for Heyward, All-Pro Cleveland Browns guard Joel Bitonio tipped his cap to a fellow AFC North mainstay.

“You know, Cam Heyward, I’ve got to block twice a year for the last 11 years,” Bitonio said. “He doesn’t get older. He just keeps staying the same and doing his job. His bull rush and his long-arm, with that left arm, is still as deadly as any move in the league.”

It isn’t just the players who think highly of Heyward, either. Just this week, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler released a survey of league executives, coaches and scouts that had Heyward ranked as football’s 10th-best defensive tackle.

Heyward already had respect in abundance, but responding to adversity somehow raised that bar even higher.