Omar Khan and the front office have worked tirelessly over the past few months to put the Steelers in a position to compete. This stems from a sense set by both Mike Tomlin and Art Rooney II at the start of the offseason.
"Yeah, I think there's an urgency," Rooney told reporters in January. "I think everybody, from myself to Mike to guys who've been on the team for a while -- T.J. [Watt], Cam [Heyward], everybody -- we've had enough of this. It’s time to get some wins. It’s time to take these next steps. I think there's some urgency here, for sure."
Despite the additions to the roster, including a complete overhaul at the game's most important position, many outside the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex are pessimistic about the Steelers' chances in 2024, which would add to a miserable streak of football in Western Pennsylvania should the naysayers be proven right.
Heyward's been among the players who have gone seven straight seasons without a victory in the playoffs. He's also been on some teams that probably should have won more than they did. He's been a leader on this team through all of it, which is why he's unsurprisingly one of the Steelers' four captains for the 2024 season, his 10th consecutive year earning that honor.
Those years have been filled with some great moments, but they've all fallen short of the ultimate goal. They've had some teams that were close. They gave the 2015 Broncos a run for their money, despite being completely beaten to a pulp. They made the conference championship in 2016. They won 13 games in 2017, but had their season derailed when Ryan Shazier suffered his career-ending injury.
Heyward lamented some of those moments when he addressed reporters Monday afternoon at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, saying the 2016 and 2017 teams might have been the closest he's come to having a chance at a Super Bowl with any of the teams he's played on:
"When (Ryan Shazier) went down, we were the top-rated defense at the time, and it just threw us for a loop," Heyward recalled. "Hopefully we have something that rivals that this year."
That's why Heyward is still playing. That's why Heyward wants to be, as he's previously described, a "one-helmet" guy. There's unfinished business in the black and gold. He's already accomplished just about everything one can in a career. He's been a first team All-Pro selection three times. Most recently, he deservedly was named Walter Payton Man of the Year. The only thing missing is hoisting a Lombardi Trophy.
"Close misses, a ball going one way or another. When we were in the playoffs against Denver (in 2015), a fumble changed the outcome of that game. Not getting a stop on defense there," Heyward continued. "There's countless amount of games. Even when we played Kansas City, we started off so fast. We had turnovers, but we couldn't get points on the board. We're looking for complete games, especially in the playoffs. But first we've gotta make sure we capitalize on getting to the playoffs. You can't overlook that. It's a newer team, but the goal is to make the playoffs and win a Super Bowl."
There are a lot of road blocks in the way for the Steelers in 2024. While the defense looks primed to be a top-five unit, at least on paper, there are several questions and concerns on offense. While Russell Wilson and Justin Fields raise the floor of the quarterback room, they both still have a lot to prove. Wilson's coming off two shaky seasons in Denver and Fields has yet to break through as a legitimate franchise quarterback despite being an 11th overall pick.
Then, there's the whole WR2 situation. Khan didn't make any significant additions to the wide receiver room after trading Diontae Johnson to the Panthers, and the team missed out on acquiring Brandon Aiyuk from the 49ers when he opted to sign a four-year, $120 million extension to remain in San Francisco. Should George Pickens go down with an injury, it would put the receiver room in deep trouble.
Finally, while the offensive line has a lot of upside, it's still very young. And, it's banged up. The expected starting five for Sunday's opener in Atlanta, left to right, is Dan Moore Jr., Spencer Anderson, Zach Frazier, James Daniels and Broderick Jones. Frazier's a rookie, Anderson has two offensive snaps under his belt, Jones has less than a season of being as starter at right tackle (though he's naturally a left tackle) and Moore is experienced but has issues in pass protection. Isaac Seumalo is sidelined with a pec injury, Jones playing at less than 100% and Troy Fautanu is far from guaranteed a spot on the field in Week 1 as he recovers from a knee sprain.
This is really scratching the surface as to why so many doubt the Steelers can compete in a loaded AFC. But Heyward has a healthy approach to the season. I asked him Monday how this team might be different than any of the teams he's played on. A lot of times, players will answer that question with beaming optimism. However, Heyward kept it as real as can be.
"I think it's still too early to say. I think we've gotta see ourselves win," Heyward said. "When you're flying around and things are chaotic, how do we bounce back in those moments? How do we stay together through thick moments? How do we win the games we're supposed to? How do we adjust accordingly? These are all questions we've gotta answer throughout the year. But hopefully we answer these questions early so when we get to December, we know what type of team we are."
Though this may seem backward, Heyward's perspective is quite clear. We still have yet to see how this team fares week to week. Maybe having the experience at quarterback, along with a new offensive coordinator in Arthur Smith, is enough to overcome the shortcomings. Or maybe Russ really just doesn't have it anymore and this team is on a collision course for yet another disappointing season. In a time in which everyone wants to be an expert and make predictions, the story of the 2024 Steelers hasn't been written yet, one way or another.
There is urgency, though. Whether Heyward says it or not, it's there. Everyone's felt it. Training camp had a different vibe that it has in recent seasons. And Tomlin's been clear with his contrite sentiment all the way back in January that he wants to see the likes of Heyward and Watt be crowned champions one day.
No, the story of this season isn't written yet. But, Heyward knows this team's gotta earn it on the field, not with words behind a podium.
"I don't really pay attention to that because I feel like I've gotta win it for him," Heyward said. "I kind of laugh when people say, 'This guy deserves to win a Super Bowl.' The only way you deserve it is if you earn it. That's always been my motto. For the guys in this locker room, we've gotta earn it week in and week out. They're not just going to hand you an award. It's not a participation trophy. You've gotta go out there and get it."
