Recognized by Pro Bowl voters, Steelers' Cam Heyward getting better with age

As disappointed as Bud Dupree was for not being selected to his first Pro Bowl, the Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker kept reminding himself about teammate Cameron Heyward.

“It takes time,” Dupree said. “Cam didn’t make one until, like, his sixth year.”

Actually, it took seven years for Heyward to be recognized by Pro Bowl voters as one of the AFC’s top defensive linemen. Even then, it was as an injury replacement.

It wasn’t until 2018 — the year after he set a career-high with 12 sacks — that Heyward gained the proper respect from the Pro Bowl electorate.

Heyward was voted in as a starter this season, proving NFL players can peak even at the ripe old age of 30.

Consider in his ninth season with the Steelers, Heyward:

• Ranks third among NFL defensive tackles with eight sacks.

• Ranks second with 19 quarterback hits.

• Leads his position group with five passes defensed.

“Some people are different than others,” nose tackle Javon Hargrave said. “It seems like he’s getting younger. This is his best season.”

When defensive end Stephon Tuitt was lost for the season to a pectoral injury in Week 6, coach Mike Tomlin said others along the defensive line — and even at other positions — would need to step up to fill the void.

Tomlin meant others in addition to Heyward, who already had cemented his stature as defensive leader and team captain.

Heyward accepted the challenge nonetheless.

With two games left in the regular season, Heyward has obliterated his previous high of 59 tackles in a season by recording 73. His eight sacks are tied for second most in his career, and his 19 quarterback hits are three shy of his career best.

According to Pro Football Focus’ subjective rankings, Heyward grades out as the second-highest interior defensive lineman in the NFL. The person in front of him? Aaron Donald, the two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.

“It’s a monster year for him,” Hargrave said. “A great year. It’s unheard of. What he’s doing is not normal. He’s the best at what he does.”

Dupree credits the work Heyward does on the interior of the defensive line with helping the fifth-year outside linebacker set a personal best with 9 1/2 sacks.

“We don’t have to worry too much about the inside with him there,” Dupree said. “He fills the gaps on our side, so we can make plays that way.”

Heyward has been at his best since the Steelers lost that ugly 21-7 decision at Cleveland on Nov. 14. In the ensuing four games, three of which were wins, the Steelers defense held opponents to little more than 14 points a game.

Heyward amassed 23 tackles, seven quarterback hits, three tackles for loss, 2 1/2 sacks, one fumble recovery and one pass defense. In a 17-10 loss to Buffalo that snapped that winning streak, Heyward registered eight tackles, the second most in his career.

“He does a great job of bullying people,” Dupree said. “Getting to the quarterback and stopping the run. He’s a great attribute to have on defense. Any team would love to have him.”

The Steelers have him for one more year. Heyward will become a free agent after the 2020 season, and given his advanced level of production, re-signing him could be a priority in training camp.

Still, Heyward realizes he is closer to the end of his career than the beginning, which puts an added emphasis on securing a Super Bowl championship.

“Time is running out,” he said.

Heyward, of course, joined the Steelers immediately after the franchise’s most recent Super Bowl appearance.

The 2011 draft class, which began with quarterback Cam Newton going to Carolina, featured 10 defensive linemen being selected in the first round, with Heyward lasting until the No. 31 pick.

Heyward easily can rattle off the names of the defensive players selected before him, a group that includes J.J. Watt, Marcell Dareus, Nick Fairley, Adrian Clayborn and Cam Jordan on the line; linebackers Von Miller, Aldon Smith and Ryan Kerrigan and defensive back Patrick Peterson. Among the skill players taken were receivers Julio Jones and A.J. Green.

“That draft class is legendary,” Heyward said. “There were some beasts in that class. My goal is to outlast all of them.”

With the Steelers, Heyward joined a defensive nucleus that had played in three Super Bowls, winning two, in a six-year span. The defense featured linemen Casey Hampton, Brett Keisel and Aaron Smith and All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu — all players in their 30s.

“They ingrained a lot into me, and I’m thankful for that,” Heyward said. “How to be a professional, how to go about your work, how to go about everyday life. This isn’t easy. You have to make a regimen for yourself. It helped me grow a lot. I’m still able to talk to these guys when I need advice.”

With Heyward entrenched as the mentor in his ninth season, he is the elder statesman paying it forward.

The Steelers drafted former Alabama defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs in the sixth round this season, and it is not a coincidence his locker stall at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex is situated two down from Heyward.

“Cam is a great player, and just getting the chance to follow in his footsteps means a lot,” Buggs said. “I’ve got to learn from the guys who have been doing it forever. He’s going to continue to lead me, and I’m going to continue to follow.”

Such interactions are a reason Heyward was selected defensive captain for the fifth consecutive season.

“He’s a great teammate,” defensive coordinator Keith Butler said. “He’s a great competitor. He tries to hold everyone accountable. He holds himself accountable, too, as much as anybody else. He’s been a great asset for us, and I’m glad we have him.”