Steelers Free Agent Analysis: Connor Heyward
Position: Tight End/Fullback
Experience: 4 Years
Free Agent Status: Unrestricted
2025 Salary Cap Hit: $1,138,806
2025 Season Breakdown:
One of the survivors of the Steelers’ 2022 draft class, Connor Heyward just had his best, and most important season. The only problem is the fact that anybody on the coaching staff who might have cared is gone. HC Mike Tomlin resigned, and the Steelers did not retain tight-end-loving OC Arthur Smith nor TE coach Alfredo Roberts. With an all-new staff, what will Pittsburgh now think of its “Spartan” player?
In fact, there are indications that the Cowboys, under new Steelers HC Mike McCarthy, were among the teams that wanted to ban the “Tush Push” play, a variation of which Connor Heyward captained in Pittsburgh last year. He did it effectively, though, so perhaps that can persuade some to change their views.
Heyward played just 90 snaps on offense last season, by far his fewest. Yet his role on the Spartan sneak plays was so important that it evidently felt like more. In all, he recorded 15 rushing attempts for 43 yards, producing 11 first downs, including 1 touchdown. He caught 3 passes on just 4 targets, but that included another touchdown.
Most importantly, though, Connor Heyward logged another 290 special teams snaps, along with 9 tackles. If the Steelers are looking to keep him, this will be the reason that they do more than anything. Especially if they don’t keep Miles Killebrew, he will be their most important special teamer.
Free Agency Outlook:
Because of his role on special teams first and foremost, Connor Heyward should be an inexpensive but priority free-agent to re-sign for the Steelers. And if they release Jonnu Smith, as they should, he could have a bigger role on offense again. He was more effective as a blocker this year than in any of his three previous seasons, and more versatile.
I should caution that top-line special teamers do cost money, so if the Steelers sign Heyward to something like a three-year, $12-15 million deal, try not to gouge out your eyes. After all, how would you see when he’s on the field to decry nepotism if you do that? Priorities, baby.
The Steelers havea long list of free agents this year, but not absolutely can’t-lose names, at least debatably. Aaron Rodgers is the presumptive exception, the team already going on record expressing the desire that he return. While the list includes significant players like Kenneth Gainwell and Isaac Seumalo, they are not overwhelmingly pressing priorities. The quarterback question supersedes all, and I don’t foresee another Mason Rudolph spring. There are some choice role players, but they wouldn’t fall apart if they lost the entire lot.
And with the Steelers introducing an almost entirely new coaching regime, the direction of free agency is unclear. No doubt we will witness how things evolve in the time between February and March. It’s possible they make some significant moves, a surprising cut, or work on a bold trade. After all, this is a new scheme into which they are now building.
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