Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt don’t have many bites left at the apple. At 62, Mike McCarthy has coached more past than future games, too. It puts all three in the position of wanting to win now with Heyward and Watt doing whatever it takes to get there.
In a one-on-one interview with Steelers’ analyst Max Starks, McCarthy detailed his initial conversations with both players.
“Pittsburgh Steelers has an incredible history and tradition,” McCarthy told Starks in a video published to the team’s YouTube channel. “We’re all aware of that, but also it does have a history of winning currently. T.J. and Cam are part of that, and I had early conversations with both men.
“They just want a chance to win it all before their career comes to an end. So very receptive. They just wanna be part of the messaging, the new direction. Basically both said, ‘Hey, coach, tell us what you want.’”
Pittsburgh has a recent track record of regular season success and playoff competitiveness. Since 2014, the Steelers have made the postseason nine times. But they have just three victories over that span and none since the 2016 season. Combined, Heyward and Watt have one postseason victory (Heyward missed the 2016 run due to injury). Fortunes both men want to change in a hurry.
Despite Internet trade buzz, Watt will stay in Pittsburgh. Heyward returns after contemplating retirement with a reworked contract to avoid the summer sagas he’s experienced the last two training camps. Both are pillars of the Steelers’ front seven. If Pittsburgh is going to get over the hump, each will have to play well. So will the rest of the group. Already, McCarthy feels the leaders are bought in.
“We wanna build off all the greatness that’s been here for decades,” McCarthy said.
Publicly, Heyward and Watt have said little about McCarthy’s hire. Heyward’s weekly podcast hasn’t uploaded many new episodes since the Super Bowl, though that’s common for his show this time of year. Watt has little social media presence.
At the latest, both figure to speak to the media during the spring when the team reports for voluntary and mandatory sessions. Each will likely say positive things about McCarthy’s hire and vision with the ultimate test coming come the fall and crucially, January.