Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman, Cam Heyward, has evolved into one of the best players in team history. That's saying something, considering the rich tradition of the franchise. He heads into his 12th season now in the black and gold after being selected in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Heyward is coming off five consecutive Pro Bowl appearances, along with four All-Pro selections, three of which were on the First Team.
On Tuesday, Heyward and his fellow Steelers teammates showed up to Latrobe for training camp, the first time at Saint Vincent College since 2019. So far, there's been no Antonio Brown-esque entrance to camp. Many players have chatted with reporters though, including Heyward.
Steph Chambers / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
In regards to the 2022 season and the prospects of the Steelers defense, Heyward had this to say via Will Graves of the Associated Press:
Cam Heyward: “we should be the No. 1 defense.” pic.twitter.com/b88w94u0Of
— Will Graves (@WillGravesAP) July 26, 2022
Heyward's comments echo a common theme throughout the off-season: the Steelers expect to have a dominant defense in 2022. Free agent signee, cornerback Levi Wallace, relayed a message similar to Heyward's in his recent appearance on Good Morning Football, in which he touted the black and gold as the best defense in the NFL. Not only are the players saying it, but the front office is showing that's just what to expect as well. General manager Omar Khan got right to work in his first few months as GM, as it was one of the most active free agencies in Steelers history. The team brought in Wallace, as well as Myles Jack and more recently, Larry Ogunjobi.
Remembering the dominant Steelers defense of the 2000's
The great Steelers teams have always been built on defense. It started in the 1970's, where their tough, hard-nosed defense led to the team's nickname of the "Steel Curtain." Fast forward a few decades later, and the Steelers built a similarly elite defense in the 2000's. Troy Polamalu and James Harrison headed the best defense in the NFL for multiple seasons. The whole group was famously featured on the cover of ESPN Magazine:
Credit: ESPN
Not only were they good, but they were feared. A traditional defensive line that slowed down opposing offenses' rushing attack in the trenches. Pass rushers that would knock your quarterback out of the game. A safety duo that wouldn't let you cross the middle of the field, but could also make a game-changing interception at the same time. It was a group unlike any other, and they were the best defense for several seasons, alongside the Baltimore Ravens.
Fast forward years later, and the team became offense-oriented. That's where the league was headed, and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was still elite. While those times never led to a Super Bowl, they were successful, at times. Defensively though, the group struggled. It was weird seeing the Steelers as a below-average defense.
With the plethora of offensive superstars now gone from a few years ago, the team has shifted back into defense-first. TJ Watt and Heyward have grown into superstars over the last handful of seasons. The trade for Minkah Fitzpatrick showed their willingness to return to a dominant defense as well.
Now, there are no excuses. The team is fully healthy, as Devin Bush and Tyson Alualu have faced significant injuries over the past few seasons. Essentially, we haven't seen a Steelers-esque defense in over 10 years. The front office has spent the necessary money in order to fortify depth in certain areas. By all accounts, the Steelers expect to have the best defense in the NFL in 2022.
What are your expectations for the defense this season? What needs to go right in order for them to live up to expectations? Do you think they will be the No. 1 defense in the NFL? Let us know in the comments below!
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