The Pittsburgh Steelers are looking to finally end this playoff win drought and prove that they are truly a threat in a wide-open AFC race. However, being 3.5-point home underdogs shows exactly where people think Pittsburgh is, especially against a red-hot Houston Texans team that has won nine consecutive games. This contest will be far from easy, and it will take everything that this team has to win at home on Monday Night Football and prove to everyone that their questionable offseason plan was actually a good one.
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Pittsburgh Steelers GM Omar Khan and HC Mike Tomlin after making a selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.
During his typical Tomlin Tuesday press conference, Head Coach Mike Tomlin was asked about one of his captains and how much of a true leader he is. The 19th-year leader had nothing but amazing things to say about Cameron Heyward.
"[Cameron Heyward]'s had a special career," Tomlin said. "It needs no endorsement from me. He displays why he's special: not only every weekend, but every day. He is a Steeler through and through. He just is. I just saw him a few minutes ago in there taking care of himself, getting ready for the week. He cares hard; he's got big shoulders. He wants the responsibility of leading."
15 of Tomlin's 19 years as head coach have been with Heyward on the team. For the 31st overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, he has been an absolute steal, as he is still playing at a high level today. Nearly every player and media outlet has spoken about how great of a player he is and how essential he has been this season, especially in this latest Week 18 game to win the division and shut down a potent run game from Baltimore.
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Steelers' Connor Heyward celebrates with his brother Cam Heyward after scoring a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens in 2025.
If the Steelers are going to beat the Texans in the Wild Card Round, they need Heyward to be at his best in all facets. He has to help shut down this underrated run game, get pressure from the inside, and be the vocal leader that he is week in and week out. Even he needs to step up, and if he shows that, everyone else will most likely fall in line and step up with him.
Heyward is a high-character guy that every single NFL team would benefit from having him around. If he is able to get one Super Bowl before he retires, he would be an absolute lock for the Hall of Fame. The fact that he is playing defensive tackle at such a high level in his mid-30s is unheard of, and he is out here making it look easy. It will be very hard to fill his shoes when he is gone.
Steelers Can Have Heyward Follow The Footsteps Of His Leaders
Tomlin also spoke about how Heyward had a great group of veterans to learn from, and how that helped shape him into the player he is now. With him having so little time left in the league, the hope is that guys like Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black will learn to lead by his example after he retires, both on and off the field. Someone will have to fill his shoes, and the cycle of legendary defensive linemen needs to continue.
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Steelers defensive lineman Derrick Harmon (99) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
If someone like Harmon can learn how to be a proper defensive leader and interior menace like Heyward, the future can still be bright. The Steelers would not have to use tons of draft capital hoping that one of these guys would fill his shoes. 10-15 years from now, whoever the head coach is could stand at the podium saying the exact same thing about him that Tomlin said about his defensive captain, and as sincerely as well.
What do you think about Tomlin's nonstop praise of Heyward? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
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