Steelers Leader Cameron Heyward Not Hesitant To Help Younger Teammates Grow In 2023

The Pittsburgh Steelers entered their third day of official training camp on Saturday. With the blistering heat wave that Latrobe has been experiencing recently, the reality is that all players must remain focused on the team's major goal, a seventh Lombardi Trophy. If they can be focused in the ferocious heat of July and August, then there is no telling how sharp they can be come January and playoff football. This focus starts, and rightly so, with the team leaders and veterans like Cameron Heyward.

On Friday, Mike Prisuta and former Steelers offensive tackle, Max Starks on Training Camp Live, discussed the role of leadership and tactics to help the team's younger players. Prisuta spoke about how Heyward sees his role as a leader and how he goes about setting the example for newer teammates.

"Cam had a really interesting take on it, one that I hadn't heard before," Starks continues. "Some guys are lead by example guys, some guys are a little more vocal. Cam said his method is to ask questions in meetings, even if he knows it, he asks a question to the coach so that everyone has to hear the answer."

This is very commendable from Heyward. He is aware of his status on the team as he is about to enter his 13th NFL season, and uses that podium to help, rather than scoff at younger players who might not be as quick to understand concepts as others. Heyward even mentioned that defensive line coach Karl Dunbar gets annoyed with him because he asks so many questions. Remember, the only bad question is a question that is never asked. 

Being able to read an offense is one thing, but being able to read a room and assess players' levels of comfortability is on a whole other level. This style of leadership helps these young players get more comfortable not only with certain terminology and concepts, but also with their teammates and coaches. Hopefully, this example set by Heyward will be a starting point for players to grow into their roles, become more vocal, and ask questions when they do not understand something. Heyward is not only being a leader to those in the meeting rooms, but in a way, he will be a leader to those who come five or 10 years down the road to Pittsburgh if the current young players choose to invoke leadership traits like his.

On top of this, we see multiple veterans rooming with younger players at camp this year. This includes newly acquired veteran wideout Allen Robinson, who is entering his 10th NFL season, pairing with second-year receiver, George Pickens. Robinson being a tall wideout himself will certainly help Pickens to use his physique to dominate an opposing team's secondary. Another newly acquired veteran Isaac Seumalo, from the in-state rival Philadelphia Eagles (who is coming off a Super Bowl loss), is pairing with first-round draft pick Broderick Jones. Even though they could possibly be mentoring players that take their spots, veterans on the Steelers know they have a role in molding these young players. 

Some of these leadership traits are already being seen in the new generation of Steelers as Kenny Pickett looks to take that leap from rookie quarterback, to a leader of this storied organization. Undoubtedly, he has big shoes to fill as the last franchise quarterback of the Steelers was able to help and lead his team to a Super Bowl victory in only his second season at the age of 23. We might remember him as Ben Roethlisberger. Steelers fans around the country are hoping this is a leap Pickett takes this season. While Pickett attempts to make a name for himself in this league and organization, the veterans need to continue their storied leadership to help bring another Lombardi trophy to Pittsburgh. 

What do you think of Heyward's leadership tactic? Can Pickett become the next storied leader of this team? Let us know what you think in the comment section below!

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