Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin walks the field with defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) before the game against the Buffalo Bills in a 2024 AFC wild-card game at Highmark Stadium. Kirby Leei-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers DT Cameron Heyward uncertain on football future

By Aaron Becker | Last updated 1/16/24

Steelers DT Cameron Heyward has an important decision to make about his football future in the coming days, weeks or months after yet another disappointing postseason loss.

The 34-year-old contemplated hanging up his cleats following the 2022 season but didn't. It seems he'll do the same this year. However, something feels different this time.

"It's been a rough season. In my heart, I want to play but it's been rough," Heyward told reporters. "I need to take the offseason to get healthy again."

Cam Heyward addresses the media following our game against the Bills. pic.twitter.com/YcOULXSNJd
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) January 16, 2024

No player comes out of any season scathe free, but Heyward has had one of the most frustrating seasons of his 13-year NFL career.

He suffered a groin injury in Week 1 that landed him on injured reserve for eight weeks. The six-time Pro Bowler finished the year with just 33 tackles, two sacks and one pass defensed.

Heyward knows it's been an impressive feat to play over a decade in the league, but he doesn't seem inspired, as of now, to run it back following his injury-riddled season.

"I'm a year older. You look at this game and the average is three years," Heyward added. "But coming off some injuries during the season, it was a testament to even get to the playoffs."

Heyward still has one more year left on his deal if he wants to give it another go at making a run to the Super Bowl. He thinks Pittsburgh has the team to contend for one, which is the only thing that keeps him coming back.

"I think the group here, collectively, is a strong group that can win a Super Bowl," Heyward stated. "I have a lot of desire for that. That's the thing that bugs me the most at night, not having an opportunity to win a Super Bowl."

Only time will tell what Heyward will decide, but he may wait and see what the Steelers plan to do at head coach. Some believe that Mike Tomlin's future with the team is up in the air after its fifth straight playoff loss.

However, Heyward wouldn't even consider playing for anyone else.

"Every player in there wouldn't be anything without Mike T. This group would not function to even get to a playoff berth without Mike T.," Heyward finished. "I don't want to play for any other coach."

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