Steelers’ Cameron Heyward Showing No Signs of Slowing Down
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Raiders O-Lineman Calls Out Steelers DT Cameron Heyward: ‘He Didn’t Beat Me’
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson allowed the first sack of his NFL career against Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward last season. The two teams aren’t scheduled to play in 2025, so he won’t get that opportunity unless the two teams meet in the postseason. Heyward does have two more years left on the three-year, $45 million contract extension he signed last offseason. He also showed no signs of slowing down last season, recording 71 tackles (35 solo), eight sacks and 11 passes defensed. The 36-year-old could choose to play it out.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson allowed the first sack of his NFL career against Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward last season. However, Powers-Johnson doesn’t think it had anything to do with Heyward’s talent.
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“I’d say playing against Cam Heyward and giving up my first sack – ever, in my entire life,” Powers-Johnson said on “The Rush” podcast. “I would have to say that. He didn’t beat me, I beat myself. I beat myself, I overset. And he got me, and said some choice words after, and I really hope he comes back for another year. That’s all I’m gonna say.”
Unfortunately for Powers-Johnson, the Steelers and Raiders aren’t scheduled to play in 2025, so he won’t get that opportunity unless the two teams meet in the postseason. The 36-year-old’s football future seems to be up in the air heading into every offseason, too.
Heyward does have two more years left on the three-year, $45 million contract extension he signed last offseason, so he could choose to play it out. He also showed no signs of slowing down last season.
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In 2024, he recorded 71 tackles (35 solo), eight sacks and 11 passes defensed, keeping himself in the conversation as one of the best interior defensive linemen in the NFL.
Nov. 8, 2015 – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. – Heinz Field: – Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end CAMERON HEYWARD (97) during the game. (Photo by Brian Kunst/Zuma Press/Icon Sportswire)
Only time will tell how much longer Heyward will play and if Powers-Johnson will get a chance at revenge, but he seems to be focused on continuing to play at a high level in 2025.
“I think you don’t really think about passing the torch right now,” Heyward said at OTA’s last week. “I think it’s about, ‘How can we make this team the best it can be?’ It’s not about holding secrets or anything. It’s about making sure we’re all growing at a pace that, by Week 1, we’re ready to kick this thing up.”
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This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Raiders O-Lineman Calls Out Steelers DT Cameron Heyward: ‘He Didn’t Beat Me’
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Having Cam Heyward Is ‘Cheat Code’ For Young Players, Keeanu Benton Says
The Pittsburgh Steelers have always had great defensive players for the rookies and young players to learn from. But it’s a little different when that player is Cam Heyward. The Steelers’ all-time leader in games played by a defensive player, he has more than a thing or two to pass down to young players. Until the 2025 NFL Draft, the only defensive linemen taken over the first two days since Heyward was picked in 2011 were Stephon Tuitt, Javon Hargrave and Keeanu Benton. With the 2025 draft class having a pair of defensive linemen, including Derrick Harmon, the Steelers are entering the perfect situation with Heyward still on the roster. Just as Heyward learned from guys like Aaron Smith, Brett Keisel and Casey Hampton, Harmon and Yahya Black now have the opportunity to grab the torch and carry it into the next generation.
Until the 2025 NFL Draft, the only defensive linemen taken over the first two days since Heyward was picked in 2011 were Stephon Tuitt, Javon Hargrave and Keeanu Benton. That is a perfect track record in terms of drafting and developing top-end DL talent. One of the common denominators in that impressive track record is Heyward.
“I say sometimes it’s a cheat code with Cam. He been in the league 15 years,” Keeanu Benton said via The Money Down Podcast. “He a great personable guy and it’s easy to not be humble when you got a status like he does. And he makes sure to make time for the young bucks and you can really tell it’s bigger than football with him.”
Heyward has seen everything there is to see in the NFL as he’s matched up against some of the all-time great offensive linemen. As a base defensive end in the Steelers’ system, he knows how to play out in more space, but he also plays over 50 percent of his snaps aligned over guards. That gives him the expertise to help coach up anybody in the Steelers’ defensive line room.
There is a reason that Heyward has been a defensive captain for 10 consecutive years, a feat only accomplished by two other Steelers in team history. He not only plays at a Hall of Fame level on the field, but he’s a Hall of Fame teammate in the locker room, too.
“Sharing his recovery habits with me. Basically everybody he work with, I work with,” Benton said. “His Pilates instructor, his masseuse, active release therapist. I’ve worked with all of them, and he’s just basically told me how to keep up with it. Kind of steal his schedule a little bit, just figuring out what works for me. I think he helped me off the field a lot for sure.”
For Benton, having a mentor like Heyward has likely accelerated his NFL learning curve by years.
I think it was telling that Benton, as a second-year player, was already seen getting up in front of the meeting room and addressing the entire defense on HBO’s Hard Knocks. That’s the other benefit of spending a lot of time around somebody like Heyward. If you pay enough attention, he can teach you how to be a good player and a good leader.
With the 2025 draft class having a pair of defensive linemen, including Derrick Harmon, the only first-round pick at the position since Heyward in 2011, the Steelers are entering the perfect situation with Heyward still on the roster. Just as Heyward learned from guys like Aaron Smith, Brett Keisel and Casey Hampton, Harmon and Yahya Black now have the opportunity to grab the torch and carry it into the next generation of the Steelers’ d-line.
Heyward’s contract runs through 2026, and he is showing no signs of slowing down after another All-Pro season in 2024. The incoming rookies should get at least two years to absorb as much as they can from the cheat code that is Cameron Heyward.
The Steelers didn’t just draft talent this year—they drafted talent with a mentor baked in. The importance of that can’t be overstated.
T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward Among PFF’s Best 30 Over 30 Players
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Chiefs’ Chris Jones among top defensive linemen Bills will face in 2025
The Buffalo Bills offensive line won the MVP award last season. They are set to return for 2025 and the hope is that they can repeat last year’s performance. The Bills will have their hands full with some of the best defensive linemen in the league this coming season. Top defensive linemen Bills will face in 2025 include Vita Vea, Cameron Heyward, Quinnen Williams, Jalen Carter, Chris Jones, and Cam Heyward. The list is based on current and former players who have played for the Bills in the last 20 years and are currently in the NFL.
Even though they are a fantastic pass-blocking group and can open up running lanes, they will still have their hands full with some of the best defensive linemen in the league this coming season.
Top defensive linemen Bills will face in 2025
5.) DL Vita Vea – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Vita Vea is a fantastic run-stuffer right in the middle of the line for Tampa Bay. Coming off his second Pro Bowl season where he had a career-high seven sacks, Vea is looking to continue his success and Buffalo will have a tough challenge when the Bucs come to Buffalo in Week 11.
4.) DL Quinnen Williams – New York Jets
The Bills are very familiar with Quinnen Williams when they go up against the Jets and he tends to make life difficult for the Bills. He’s been a Pro Bowler the last three seasons and with having Aaron Glenn as his new head coach, there’s a chance that Williams can get back to the player he was back in 2022 where he was an All-Pro player.
3.) DL Cameron Heyward – Pittsburgh Steelers
The 14-year veteran is still going strong and he has been super reliable for the Steelers. He is the heart and soul of the defense in Pittsburgh and he is a tone setter. He can line up anywhere inside or outside of the line and he’ll be disruptive no matter what. Coming off an All-Pro season, there are no signs of Heyward slowing down.
2.) DL Jalen Carter – Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Carter is off to a strong Hall of Fame career in Philadelphia. He was a runner-up for Defensive Rookie of the Year two seasons ago. Then last season, he earned Pro Bowl honors, Second-Team All-Pro honors, and earned votes for Defensive of the Year. Carter is the future of the defense with the Eagles and heading into the third year of his rookie contract, Carter is set to grow even more as a player.
1.) DL Chris Jones – Kansas City Chiefs
Whenever the Bills and Chiefs face off against each other, Chris Jones is always a problem for Buffalo. He can take down double team blocks, make a play at or behind the line of scrimmage, and ultimately be the reason why the Chiefs gain momentum to make a second-half comeback. There’s no one else who has made life more difficult for the Bills’ offensive line in recent memory.
More Bills news and analysis:
Steelers’ Cameron Heyward Showing No Signs of Slowing Down
Steelers’ Cameron Heyward Showing No Signs of Slowing Down. Heyward recently turned 36 years old, but he has been defying Father Time over the past several seasons. The Steelers have made the playoffs each of the last two seasons, so Heyward and the rest of the team’s defense will be looking to help lead the team back to the postseason for the third season in a row.
Cameron Heyward has been with the Pittsburgh Steelers for a lengthy 14 seasons. But despite his advancing age, he is still showing no signs that it is having any effect on him.
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In a recent article by PFF’s Ryan Smith, he puts together a list of 10 NFL veterans who are still competing at a very high level, and one of the players he mentions is the star defensive lineman for the AFC North team.
“Heyward is yet another player on this list who is a lock for the Hall of Fame, trailing only Chris Jones in PFF overall grade among interior defenders last season,” Smith wrote. “The five-time All-Pro is a big reason why the Steelers top PFF’s list of the best defensive lines in the NFL heading into the 2025 season. His presence will be especially valuable for Derrick Harmon, the Steelers’ first-round pick in this year’s draft.”
Heyward recently turned 36 years old, but he has been defying Father Time over the past several seasons.
In 2024, the star defensive lineman racked up eight sacks, 71 total tackles, and 20 quarterback hits. He was also able to display his ability to bat down passes at the line with 11 pass deflections this past season.
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The Steelers have made the playoffs each of the last two seasons, so Heyward and the rest of the team’s defense will be looking to help lead the team back to the postseason for the third season in a row.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.