The Pittsburgh Steelers are wrapping up one of their most disappointing seasons in recent memory. Early success made the fanbase rabid, but old age and major cracks caused this team to fall apart down the stretch.
With the offseason right around the corner and Mike Tomlin finally out the door, we are once again looking at a team that needs significant change. From future coaching hirings looming large to refreshing a depressingly old and bad roster, the Steelers will once again turn over every stone in hopes of finding an answer.
Unfortunately for Cameron Heyward, this could mean the end of the line for his career.
The former first-round pick is finally showing his age a little bit this season. While still a stout run defender individually, he isn’t the game wrecker that he once was. At his age, that isn’t going to get any better.
If this team commits to a partial rebuild this offseason in addition to a youth infusion, Heyward suddenly finds himself in a tough spot. It could be time for Pittsburgh to part ways with this future Hall of Fame player.
The Pittsburgh Steelers may move on from Cameron Heyward during the 2026 offseason
While his longevity as a great player has to be praised, Heyward isn’t giving the Steelers his usual brand of dominant football. His pass rush has become absent. While he can hold his own as a run defender, that also isn’t what it once was, as evidenced by the whole defense's struggles to stop ball carriers.
His cap hit will come in just over $19 million next year, per Over The Cap. For what he could be expected to give the team at age 37 next season, that might not be worth it. That isn’t the reason a split has to happen, though.
Simply put, this defense needs a youth infusion. Heyward fails to offer that. While Heyward being cut or retiring would create a hole on the roster, there are solutions to fill it.
Derrick Harmon feels like a natural replacement. Keeanu Benton could also shift to an end position as opposed to his nose tackle spot. Yahya Black is deserving of more playing time as well. You could do worse with those three as your starters.
Assuming a decision is made before Heyward’s roster bonus is due in March, the Steelers would save over $14 million in cap space. At the very least, the team has to have a tough conversation about what to do here.
Heyward has also been visibly frustrated all year (and understandably so). There is a real chance he controls his own future by just retiring.
While keeping Heyward and paying him that salary isn’t egregious, if this team actually wants to build for the future, it isn’t the right move. This team isn’t close to competing, so it is a hard sell to justify keeping Heyward around any longer.