Steelers' Cam Heyward: 'We Have a Team That Contends for a Super Bowl'

The Pittsburgh Steelers have faced a playoff win drought since their last postseason victory in 2016. Despite several playoff appearances, the team has repeatedly failed to advance, including a heartbreaking loss to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card Round last season.

However, veteran defensive lineman Cam Heyward believes this year could be different, crediting general manager Omar Khan's offseason moves for turning the Steelers into a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

In a recent appearance on the Brain & Life Podcast, Heyward expressed his optimism about the team's potential.

"I think we got a really good team. I think we have a team that contends for a Super Bowl," said Heyward.

He praised the offseason additions, particularly highlighting the acquisitions of Russell Wilson , Justin Fields , and linebacker Patrick Queen from the Baltimore Ravens.

"You add guys like Patrick Queen…now he's playing for the good guys. I'm happy about that," Heyward added.

Khan's active offseason strategy included significant free-agent moves, bringing in experienced players like Wilson and Queen to bolster the roster. Heyward emphasized that these additions, alongside the existing core, create a solid foundation that could help Pittsburgh secure its seventh Lombardi Trophy.

"We have a good mesh of players already," Heyward noted, "and we've added guys with not only great pedigree but the ability to elevate this team."

While the Steelers made the postseason last year despite significant challenges—including injuries that forced them to rely on their practice squad—Heyward believes the team is better positioned to compete if they stay healthy in 2024. However, the path to the playoffs won't be easy.

Related: Steelers: AFC North’s Biggest Underdogs?

Pittsburgh faces one of the toughest schedules in the NFL this season, largely due to the strength of the AFC North. All four teams in the division ended 2023 with winning records, with three making the playoffs.

The Steelers' schedule becomes especially daunting after Week 11, when they will face all six divisional games and matchups against top teams like the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs.

If Pittsburgh manages to navigate this challenging slate and reach the playoffs, the road to the Super Bowl will likely run through Kansas City, as the Chiefs have dominated the AFC, appearing in the last six AFC Championship Games. The Steelers will need to find a way to overcome this formidable challenge to reach the big game.