Former Pittsburgh Steelers TE Connor Heyward made the tough decision to leave the Steelers and sign with Las Vegas Raiders, but Vegas was far from his only suitor. On the Not Just Football podcast hosted by his brother Cam, Connor revealed which teams wanted him in free agency, including the Steelers.
“Minnesota was interested, Miami was interested, Steelers wanted me back. Danny Smith, once he found out I was still a free agent, he was going to run upstairs, and then right after that I signed,” Heyward said. “There was a lot of interest, it was moreso people didn’t really think I would leave Pittsburgh.”
Heyward explained why he ultimately chose Las Vegas over a return to Pittsburgh.
“Once I talked to Coach [Klint] Kubiak and [John] Spytek, the GM, and the plans they had for my offensive usage outside of special teams. I know special teams is what I’m gonna do and that’s apart of this fullback responsibility and role, but I was just excited to feel like I was wanted. Not saying I wasn’t wanted here, but it’s like being recruited again and hearing the things you can do and some of the things you haven’t done in awhile, but knowing that you can do still.”
Las Vegas is offering him the opportunity to have a bigger offensive role as the pure fullback within their offense. It doesn’t sound as if that’s something the Steelers were interested in, and it’s not something Heyward has done full-time during his four seasons in the league. But he has experience playing an H-back role from his time at Michigan State, and he was the quarterback for the Steelers’ version of the tush push last season.
It’s not surprising that Heyward had multiple suitors, as he’s known as a strong special-teamer (hence Danny Smith’s interest in a reunion). But it’s clear that he wants to show he’s more than that with a role on offense, and Las Vegas was offering that. It’s a chance for Heyward to get out of his comfort zone with a new team away from his brother and prove himself, and also show that he’s capable of playing a bigger offensive role than he had with the Steelers.
Even though Cam had never gone through the free agency process, he was still someone whom Connor consulted throughout, and ultimately he decided that Las Vegas was the best fit for him. For the Steelers, it leaves a void in their tight end room and hurts their special teams units, and tight end is now a need with the draft approaching. But it’s exciting for Heyward to have a new opportunity and go somewhere he can make a name for himself outside of just being Cam’s little brother.
Recommended for you