Cam Heyward poised to move into 2nd place on Steelers all-time games played list

It’s a significant milestone for someone so associated with the Pittsburgh Steelers. But Cameron Heyward isn’t preoccupied that for him Sunday will be game No. 221.

“No,” the longtime Steelers captain said this week. “I’m trying to get above that; Game (No.) 24 of the 2025 season is where I’m more concerned with.”

The (potential) 24^th game of the Steelers 2025 season that Heyward is referencing is the Super Bowl (three preseason games plus 17 in the regular season and four in the playoffs).

If the Steelers happen to make it that far, that could mean Heyward would make it to 241 games with the team – 228 of those in the regular season. The path to that extends Sunday when Heyward plays in regular-season Steelers game No. 221 – and that’s significant because it would make him No. 2 all-time in games played for the storied franchise.

“It’s really a testament to him and his work ethic and the things that he does to stay prepared and engaged,” defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said. “When you’re around him, he’s almost like a 24-year-old new guy in the building. He really enjoys football, he enjoys being around the guys. He works his tail off.

“It is really a testament to him and what he’s put into this game, that he’s able to reach those heights and play as long as he has and still play as well as he has.”

Appearing in Sunday’s game will break a tie with former Hall of Famer center Mike Webster for second place behind former teammate Ben Roethlisberger in career games played for the Steelers.

“It’s unbelievable. He’s a unicorn, to be as elderly as he is,” Austin said, laughing, “and to play as well as he’s playing.”

A defensive captain for the 11th consecutive season, 15-year veteran Heyward is easily the Steelers’ longest-tenured active player by both seasons and gamed played – kicker Chris Boswell has been in uniform for 159 games over 11 seasons, second in both.

Last year, Heyward passed Hall of Famer Donnie Shell (201 games) for most games played by a defensive player for the Steelers. Hall of Famer Joe Greene is the closest to Heyward among defensive linemen (181 games, 11^th-most overall).

In terms of seasons played for the Steelers, Heyward is tied with Webster for second-most with 15, behind Roethlisberger’s 18.

In regards to active players across the league, Heyward enters the weekend in a tie for 14^th place in career games played with New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis. Of the 13 ahead of them, six are specialists and two are quarterbacks.