The Pittsburgh Steelers only had one player make the Associated Press All-Pro team this year. Cam Heyward was named a second-team All-Pro for the second time in his career. Doing that at 36 years old speaks to what a dominant player Heyward still is. That’s not normal for any position, let alone a defensive lineman. Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin showered Heyward with praise, particularly for his performance against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18.
“I understand [what] a lot of casual fans don’t really understand,” Franklin said recently on the Club 520 Podcast. “If you go back and watch that game, Cam Heyward, big d-tackle, he’s been going at it for 16 years, the type of shit that he puts on tape, it’s different.
“He changes the game from defensive tackle. It’s hard to understand if you don’t see the nuances or the different plays that he’s affecting, Cam Heyward, he’s a lead dog. He’s an elite talent, Hall of Fame level.”
Franklin is right that Heyward is a game changer. The effort he put in against the Ravens was almost unbelievable. He dominated the line of scrimmage, finishing that game with seven total tackles and one quarterback hit. Heyward tied for the team lead in tackles that game, which isn’t normal for a defensive lineman in his 15th season.
Heyward finished 2025 with 3.5 sacks, nine tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and six pass deflections. While he wasn’t as dominant as he was in 2024, he was still one of the Steelers’ best players.
His recent All-Pro selection only solidifies Heyward’s case for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Not only has he been named a second-team All-Pro twice, he’s also been a first-team All-Pro four times. Plus, he’s made seven Pro Bowls. Those accolades should get him real consideration for Canton.
However, Heyward still wants to add to his resumé. While he’s done a lot, he still hasn’t won a Super Bowl. That’s all he’s chasing now. The Steelers are in the playoffs, so they have a chance at a championship. Hopefully, they can at least make some noise in the postseason, but they have to get through the Houston Texans first.