As a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and coming from a military academy like the Naval Academy, Pittsburgh Steelers running back/wide receiver Eli Heidenreich has a difficult path to making his hometown team’s 53-man roster.
A lot of adjustments are needed, from style of play, to level of competition, and more. But he has one thing going for him right now that might end up giving him a bit of an advantage.
Time.
Speaking to reporters earlier in the week during mandatory minicamp, Heidenreich detailed his biggest adjustment to the NFL game, and it’s something that could help him become a better player than he was at Navy. More time on his hands, more time to commit to his craft.
“It’s going well. It’s a different way of life compared to the academy. And I think the biggest thing is time, right?” Heidenreich said, according to video via the Steelers’ YouTube page. “I’ve had all this time to really focus on football and take care of my body and get in the playbook, and really just be a professional at football. That’s something that I haven’t really had the chance to do at Navy, juggling academics and military responsibilities. So that’s been the big thing.
“And I think too, this program has a lot of vets, a lot of people that I’m trying to learn from. So taking advice from them and trying to pick their brain.”
During Heidenreich’s time at Navy, football wasn’t his only priority. That’s just the way of life down there. Academics and military requirements lead the way at Navy; after that, sports fits in where they can.
That puts Navy athletes at a disadvantage compared to other Division I athletes and programs, but Heidenreich was able to work through it, putting himself in position to eventually make the leap to the NFL.
Now, it’s all football for the Pittsburgh native. That is something his former offensive coordinator Drew Cronic and position coach David Cole at Navy cited as to why Heidenreich’s best football is in front of him, and now that might be playing out in the Black and Gold.
He still has a long way to go and has to prove himself in training camp and the preseason to earn a roster spot. But now he’s on an even playing surface with other NFL talent. That could unlock another level to his game.
Heidenreich is already taking advantage of it and is enjoying the opportunity to be all football, all the time.
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