Cameron Heyward has served as the captain of the Pittsburgh Steelers for the last 11 seasons. He’s been that pillar of consistency for the franchise, and a bridge from the last era of true greatness the Steelers experienced, having learned from the greats from previous Super Bowl teams.
Though the Steelers haven’t been able to climb the mountain with Heyward as the captain, he’s done a great job of serving as that vocal leader, and one that leads by example day after day, both in the locker room and on the field.
Now, that leadership will never be more important than the 2026 season ahead, assuming Heyward doesn’t retire after 15 seasons in the NFL.
With Mike Tomlin stepping down as head coach of the Steelers after 19 seasons, and the entire coaching staff free to pursue opportunities elsewhere, change is coming in a major way for the Steelers. Change that someone like Heyward has never gone through.
Since entering the league as a first-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, Heyward has only played for one head coach in Tomlin. He’s also played for just three defensive coordinators in Dick LeBeau, Keith Butler and Teryl Austin. He’s also had just two position coaches in John Mitchell and Karl Dunbar.
So this is all a new frontier, not only for the franchise, but Heyward, too.
Leadership in the locker room will be vital as the Steelers transition to a new era with a new head coach and a new coaching staff. Veterans who have been around awhile and know what it means to be a Pittsburgh Steeler will be incredibly important in the transition.
We’ll see what ultimately happens with the roster as far as veteran leadership goes. It’s hard to imagine T.J. Watt being traded, and it’s really hard to see Heyward walking away, especially after another All-Pro season. Granted, his Hall of Fame resume is secured, and outside of trying to chase a Super Bowl in the final year of his contract, there’s not much to play for individually.
But if being a Pittsburgh Steeler means what he says it means to him Heyward will stick around and see this transition through, at least for one year. There’s unfinished busy, and an obligation to leaves things better than he found it.
Right now, the Steelers are in a bit of disarray after Tomlin stepped down. Roster changes will be coming, too. That makes Heyward’s presence in the locker room all the more important in 2026.