The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to have a lot of hard decisions to make as the 2026 offseason continues on. The next major event is going to be the NFL's Scouting Combine, and quickly after that is free agency. It will be interesting to see how Pittsburgh goes after free agents, but it is also important to see who the franchise tries to bring back from the 2025 roster. The organization can work out new deals with players from the 2025 roster who are scheduled to be free agents before free agency opens up, but a lot of guys are going to want to test their market.
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Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Omar Khan during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
General Manager Omar Khan and new head coach Mike McCarthy are working together in Pittsburgh for the first time, and the two will have to put forth a collaborative effort when it comes to building the 2026 roster. That starts now by making decisions on Pittsburgh's impending free agents like Kenneth Gainwell, Calvin Austin III, and Isaac Seumalo. Another name to keep an eye on is tight end Connor Heyward. Heyward is listed as a tight end, but his value extends beyond that as he also serves in an H-back role and contributes heavily on special teams.
Beat writer Mike DeFabo wrote about Pittsburgh's pending free agents for The Athletic, and it doesn't seem like Heyward will be back under McCarthy.
"The Steelers kept four tight ends on the 53-man roster to fit the needs of Arthur Smith’s offense," DeFabo wrote. "As the team transitions to a different style of offense under McCarthy, Heyward will be an interesting decision. He brings special teams value and versatility as a hybrid H-back/tight end, but will the Steelers choose to spend their money and a roster spot on a receiver instead of a tight end? Part of this discussion will be Jonnu Smith, a cut candidate. It’s also worth noting that McCarthy has deployed a traditional fullback in the past and may prefer a more dominant blocker in that role."
Heyward is a multi-faceted tool, and while he has been on the receiving end of some hate from the fan base, he was a relatively important player to the team during the 2025 season. He became Pittsburgh's "tush push" guy, and he also was reliable when targeted through the air. He succeeded as well when it come to opening up holes in the running game as the lead blocking back.
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Steelers' Connor Heyward celebrates with his brother Cam Heyward after scoring a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens in 2025.
DeFabo points out that McCarthy typically likes to have a true fullback on the roster, perhaps one that is an elite block in the run game. Heyward should be given that title as an elite blocker as a lead back. He has excelled in that area ever since being drafted back in 2022.
McCarthy has always had a true fullback. When he was with the Green Bay Packers, it was John Kuhn, and in his last two seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, it was Hunter Luepke. Maybe the coach will see Heyward as someone that can fill that role. If not, the fullback class in free agency is actually not bad. Reggie Gilliam is scheduled to hit the open market, as is Andrew Beck. Pittsburgh is also projected to have 12 selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, and one of those picks can be spent on a fullback on a rookie deal.
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Steelers Cameron and Connor Heyward share an emotional moment during a regular season game in Atlanta in 2022.
Steelers Can't Be Emotional With Connor Heyward Decision
Connor's future is up in the air, but so is his brother's. Cam Heyward is under contract for the 2026 season, but retirement is on the table. The coaching change makes retirement more likely, and Pittsburgh moving on from Connor might be the final nail in the coffin. Cam has been playing at an All-Pro level in recent years, but if he can't play one more year under Mike Tomlin or with his brother, maybe he will walk away.
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