Dean Lowry
Dean Lowry
In the blink of an eye, the Pittsburgh Steelers are almost done with their 2026 training camp. With just three public practices left before the Steelers break camp, Cam Heyward has had his eyes on a few players who have stood out over the last few weeks in Latrobe. On his Not Just Football podcast, Heyward named one offensive player and one defensive player who have stood out to him at training camp, picking Dean Lowry and Troy Fautanu.
“I like the way he’s playing with his hands,” Heyward said of Lowry. “Able to control blocks, comes out of his hips quick. And it’s a veteran presence that’s different than me, even Sebastian Joseph-Day, and so I gotta give some props to him. He’s been playing some good ball. We’ve been moving some fronts, putting some different guys in, but every time I look, I feel like Dean Lowry’s making plays.”
Heyward then moved onto Fautanu, who moved to left tackle this offseason after spending his first two NFL seasons on the right side.
“I really like Troy Fautanu. That’s one of those guys we’re gonna talk about in the future,” Heyward said. “I personally think he can play any position on the O-line and be an All-Pro at any one of them. I’m not just talking. I think he has the tools.”
Heyward added that Fautanu studies Trent Williams and Lane Johnson and is always learning new things to try.
“When I watch him compete and I watch how he’s crafting different things together, there’s a level of respect there.”
Lowry is an interesting selection as someone who hasn’t gotten a lot of consideration to make the 53-man roster. Heyward said Lowry “doesn’t get enough love,” and it’ll be interesting to see if the coaching staff feels the same way. At this point, he might be a sleeper to make the 53-man roster given that he has familiarity with the coaching staff from his time with the Packers and he was projected to play a role last season before a torn ACL ended his season prematurely.
Lowry also dealt with injuries in 2024, playing in 12 games with one start for the Steelers but not making a huge impact. Back for his third season in Pittsburgh, Lowry has to deal with a crowded defensive line room and is likely facing an uphill climb to make the roster. But he has a believer in Heyward, and if he can translate his training camp performance to the preseason, Lowry could find himself serving as valuable depth as a veteran on the defensive line.
Fautanu had a breakout season last year, and he’s now back playing left tackle as he did in college. Fautanu was projected by some analysts pre-draft to be a candidate to transition to guard, and Heyward seems to think that if that were to happen down the line, he would excel. But he’s unquestionably one of Pittsburgh’s best options at offensive tackle, and he’ll be tasked now with protecting Aaron Rodgers’ blind side.
It’s clear that he’s striving to be one of the best at his position, and his studying two of the top players of this generation at offensive tackle is a good sign that he’s always looking to improve. Heyward is clearly a fan of his attitude and how he plays the game, and it’s a good sign for his future that he’s so diligent in his work and continues to find ways to get better.
The Steelers believe they have a long-term starter at one of the most important positions in Fautanu, and he’s done nothing to prove them wrong so far. It’s good to hear that he has the respect of the most respected veteran in Pittsburgh’s locker room, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see his star continue to shine throughout this season.