Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward is the Steelers lone representative on the 2025 Associated Press All-Pro team.
Heyward was voted second-team Associated Press All-Pro.
Heyward has made the AP All-Pro team for the sixth time in his career, including first-team a total of four times and second-team now twice. He and Hall of Famer Joe Greene are the only interior defensive linemen in Steelers history to be voted First-Team AP All-Pro four times.
Heyward, who is in his 15th season, continues to be a dominant force up front for the defense.
He finished the regular season fourth in total tackles with 78, including 38 solo stops. He had nine tackles for a loss, six passes defensed, three and a half sacks and a forced fumble. Heyward was also named first-team All-Pro by Pro Football Focus (PFF) earlier this week. According to PFF, Heyward is the only interior defender to 'earn a 90.0-plus PFF grade this season and the only player at the position to post PFF grades above 80.0 as both a pass-rusher and a run defender.'
Heyward's 'youthful' dominance was on display most recently against the Baltimore Ravens in the battle for the AFC North. On a 41-yard run by the Ravens' Derrick Henry, it was Heyward who made his way downfield for the tackle. And while he got dinged up on the play, he came right back in.
"That just shows his resiliency and his want-to and will to come out here and work at his age," said fellow defensive tackle Keeanu Benton. "I think he's still got some more in the tank. He's a heck of a player.
"That's why you see me (chasing players downfield) now. Seeing him, even in practice, it starts in practice with him turning and running. You see it on film. The young guys see it on film. You just see people start to change."
One thing Heyward hasn't done is change, no matter how many seasons he has played.
"He's been that way," said defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. "He's played well all year. He's always been, as we all know, really good against the run.
"But you watch in terms of his effort and his leadership and all that stuff, it's just top notch. And when you get into thick moments like that, when you get into games where every snap is counting, a win-or-go-home moment, you like those guys to be out in front. And he was right out front."
Heyward, who is a defensive captain for the 11th straight year, has been a shining example for younger teammates.
Rookie outside linebacker Jack Sawyer, who also played at Ohio State like Heyward, has relied on him for guidance all season.
" I haven't really known Cam that long, but I feel like I've been watching him play since I was about five years old on TV," said Sawyer. "So, I like to mess with him about that at the meeting, stuff like that.
"So, seeing him do it at this level still it's unreal.
"When you see him come in here every day, and the way he carries himself, he's always in a good mood, he's happy, he's smiling, and he is having fun. Like he's a rookie again, and he's 36-years old, Year 15 or whatever.
"It's exceptional. He's a rare guy, especially playing inside in the NFL is not an easy job to do and being able to do it for that long at this level is unreal."
Bringing you the action: For fans who don't want to miss any of the action, NFL+ is here, which means you can now watch the Steelers live and on the go! Watch live local and primetime regular season games on mobile, plus NFL RedZone, NFL Network, live audio and more - all in one place.
