Steelers A to Z: Maybe Connor Heyward is more featured in Arthur Smith’s offense

Editor’s note: From now until the first practice of training camp at Saint Vincent College, TribLive is running through the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 90-man roster, looking at each player and assessing his outlook for the 2024 season. The breakdown will run in alphabetical order with at least two players each day between June 14 and July 25. Contract data courtesy spotrac.com.

TE CONNOR HEYWARD

Experience/age: 3^rd season, 25

Contract status: $1.023 million cap hit in 2024, signed through 2025

The past: After a five-year career at Michigan State in which he morphed from a running back to a tight end/H-back, Heyward was arguably one of the most predicted late-round picks in NFL Draft history when the Steelers selected him in 2022’s sixth round. After all, the Steelers under Mike Tomlin have shown a penchant for bloodlines/pedigree in acquiring those related to prominent NFL players in addition to a tendency to carry brothers on their roster. And with big bro Cameron, a longtime captain and one of the faces of the franchise, Connor was widely viewed as an ideal fit for the Steelers two years ago.

As a rookie, Heyward served as a third tight end who appeared on virtually all of the special teams. He caught 12 passes, including a long touchdown during a win at his hometown of Atlanta. Last season, after Derek Watt was let go, Heyward was considered the Steelers’ top fullback in addition to duties as a TE3 and H-back as well as continuing to be a core special teamer. Heyward’s receiving production increased to 23 catches and 167 yards. But the fullback role barely materialized, moreso a function of the Steelers just not using one. According to Pro Football Focus charting, Heyward was about as likely to line up in the slot (71 snaps) or even out wide (24 snaps) as he was in the backfield (33). His deployment at tight end reached 289 snaps, more than a quarter of the Steelers’ plays.

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The special moment for Connor Heyward. (Week 13) pic.twitter.com/KfecIUnX19

— Donny Football (@DonChed54) June 27, 2023

2024 outlook: Hired as offensive coordinator in January, Arthur Smith has a reputation for featuring tight ends. That could mean good things for Heyward. But what will not work in his favor where Smith is concerned is that the coach surely was influential in bringing in MyCole Pruitt. A veteran tight end, Pruitt has played for three teams with Smith calling plays. In theory, this bumps Heyward down to a fourth tight end behind starter Pat Freiermuth, 2023 third-round pick Darnell Washington and Pruitt. With Smith as head coach and play caller last season the Atlanta Falcons used Keith Smith lined up at fullback for 158 plays.

That could portend a role for Heyward in 2024. But the Steelers have kept fullback Jack Colletto on their roster since October after he was on the practice squad for the rest of this past regular season. Heyward, in theory, would have to fend him off to retain status as the top fullback.

Regardless of how it shakes out, though, Heyward is a reliable and durable player who is well-liked and performs well on special teams. His roster spot is safe for this season. But his role in the offense could go any number of directions.