Steelers' Tomlin Blocks Creative Heyward Play Design

Cam Heyward's Career and the Idea of a Defensive Lineman Scoring a Touchdown

The Pittsburgh Steelers have experienced significant roster changes in recent years, but one consistent presence has been veteran defensive lineman Cam Heyward. Since being selected in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, Heyward has established himself as one of the league’s premier defenders. Despite often being overshadowed by other standout players on the defensive line, his career has endured longer than most. In the 2024 season, he made a strong comeback, earning recognition as a First-Team All-Pro.

In the NFL, there are moments that excite fans when a player typically not involved in offensive plays scores a touchdown. This phenomenon has occurred with notable players like JJ Watt, who was known for catching passes during his time with the Houston Texans. The idea of a big defender scoring a touchdown is not uncommon, especially on goal-line plays.

On his podcast, Not Just Football With Cam Heyward, Heyward shared a story about how Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith once considered putting him into an offensive role. “Hell no,” Heyward said. “Tomlin wouldn’t let me do anything on offense, Arthur Smith was around me and was like, ‘Hey, we need to sneak you in on offense.’ And Mike T. was like, ‘We ain’t doing that. That’s not happening.’ He really did.”

Heyward expressed his frustration, recalling how JJ Watt managed to catch touchdowns over the years and questioning why he couldn’t get a similar opportunity. He also mentioned the Kansas City Chiefs’ use of defensive tackle Dontari Poe in 2015 and 2016, where Poe scored touchdowns on designed plays. Now, as his career nears its end, Heyward is eager for a chance to score a touchdown, even if it means stepping onto the offensive side of the ball.

However, Head Coach Mike Tomlin likely made the right decision to shut down the idea. Heyward struggled with injuries in the 2023 season and is now 36 years old. At this stage in his career, the risk of injury is too high, and his value lies primarily on the defensive side of the ball.

The Steelers rarely use gimmick plays, with one of the most memorable being Chris Boswell’s touchdown pass to Alejandro Villanueva during the 2018 season on a fake field goal. While such plays can be exciting, they are not common for the team.

The 2025 Season: A Crucial Year for the Steelers

The 2025 season presents a significant challenge for the Steelers. The team has undergone substantial roster changes, which could lead to improvements on both sides of the ball. However, the lack of continuity from the 2024 season raises concerns. The Steelers could either finish with double-digit wins and a playoff berth or find themselves in meaningless games at the end of the year if they fail to meet expectations.

If the latter scenario occurs, it might be the perfect opportunity to let Heyward take the field on offense for a touchdown. While it may not be feasible during the regular season, a situation where the team has already been eliminated could provide the perfect setup for a unique moment.

For fans, the idea of seeing Heyward score a touchdown would be a memorable experience. It would mark a rare and exciting moment in his long and successful career. However, the decision to allow such a play would depend on the team’s performance and strategic needs throughout the season.

As the Steelers move forward, the focus will remain on their defense and the contributions of players like Heyward. His leadership and experience continue to be vital to the team’s success, even as the possibility of an offensive touchdown remains a distant dream.