Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward certainly had a breakout year in 2013 and he’ll look to improve on that performance in 2014. For Heyward, however, his biggest concern is helping the Steelers get back to the playoffs after back to back 8-8 season above everything else.
“I don’t have individual goals,” Heyward told Michael Boytim of the Altoona Mirror over the weekend. “My main goals are getting this team to the playoffs and then not just being happy making the playoffs. I think if you reach team goals, the individual goals take care of themselves.”
The Steelers lost free agent defensive linemen Ziggy Hood and Al Woods to other teams during the early portion of the free agent signing period, but they signed former San Diego Chargers defensive lineman Cam Thomas to help with those losses. By the sound of things, Heyward has already been in contact with Thomas in addition to a few other free agents the Steelers have signed this offseason.
“You know there’s been texts where we got to reach out to guys,” Heyward said in an interview with WTAJ-TV. “Everybody seems like a good guy. And everybody just wants to win. Everybody comes to this organization with one goal – to win. And what better organization than the Steelers?”
The first phase of the Steelers offseason gets underway this week in Pittsburgh and one would think it will be Heyward’s first chance to meet some of his new teammates face to face. With the status of veteran free agent defensive end Brett Keisel still up in the air, Heyward recognizes and accepts the fact that he’s now one of the leaders on the defensive side of the football.
“I’ll have a lot more responsibility, and I’m looking forward to a little bit more on my plate,” Heyward said. “I’ve had the chance to start, and I’m looking forward to what I can do to help this team.”
