Cam Heyward reaches impressive milestone against Raiders

Pittsburgh Steelers veteran defensive tackle Cam Heyward will play in his 200th career game on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders. Only five other players in franchise history have reached the 200-game milestone – Mel Blount (200), Donnie Shell (201), Hines Ward (217), Mike Webster (220) and Ben Roethlisberger (249).

The 35-year-old Heyward signed a two-year contract extension with the Steelers before the start of the season, meaning he will remain in Pittsburgh through at least the 2026 season.

Heyward has said he wants to play two more seasons after this season, so the contract could well run until the end of his playing career. This is the outcome that both sides seemed to be striving for.

“The goal is to be a Steeler for the rest of my career,” Heyward said in June.

Heyward has dominated in five games this season. He has shown no signs of slowing down. If he stays healthy and plays every game in the 2026 season, he will have 245 career games under his belt, trailing only Roethlisberger on the all-time list of most games played as a Steeler. At the very least, he should surpass Webster's 220 career games.

Heyward is a three-time first-team All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler. He has recorded 82.5 career sacks, which ranks second on the franchise's all-time list. Having that many sacks as a defensive tackle speaks volumes. Only TJ Watt has more sacks than him in Steelers history. Heyward was also named the 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year.

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward in a four-pointer against the Los Angeles Chargers on September 22, 2024. – Ed Thompson / Steelers Now

NFL historian John Turney believes Heyward did enough to warrant a Gold Jacket. Turney believes Heyward's accomplishments are consistent with other defensive players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

“As it is, his three All-Pros are similar to others who have played his position – a 3-4 defensive end in a base defense and a defensive tackle on passing downs.” Howie Long did that. So does Richard Seymour. Both were All-Pro three times, Long made eight Pro Bowls and Seymour seven times,” Turney wrote in June.

“Lee Roy Selmon, a pure 3-4 player who didn't play defensive tackle, was also a three-time All-Pro. Two guys who played multiple positions – Dan Hampton and Joe Klecko – could also be considered for comparison, with Hampton a four-time All-Pro and Klecko a two-time selection.”

It's not a must-win, but a Super Bowl title would certainly boost Heyward's Hall of Fame chances. He may have accomplished enough to make the team, but a Super Bowl title would make him a favorite for Canton. Reaching 100 career sacks could also prove his point.

Heyward will become the sixth player to play 200 games in his Steeler career on Sunday. Blount, Shell and Webster are all in the Hall of Fame. Roethlisberger will most likely be enshrined in 2027 and Ward is a borderline Hall of Famer. Ward could come in at some point, but there is a logjam at wide receiver. However, all six players on the Steelers 200 club could very well have a Gold Jacket one day.

Heyward continues to collect awards. The only thing missing is a Super Bowl ring.