Steelers' Cam Heyward Knows Team Needs Big Improvements At Quarterback 'There Has To Be Competition'

Heyward joined Mike Golic and Mike Golic Jr. on the DraftKings' Gojo And Golic podcast to talk about the state of the team and how to best move forward. For Heyward, it all comes down to competition. The person who will be under center in 2024 for the Steelers has to earn it. Heyward was asked if he thinks the starter in 2024 would end up being Pickett or someone else, and the defensive standout didn't hold back.

"You know, I think both can be, you know, beneficial to us. Whether it's Kenny, us having support behind him, and then, you know, I think competition breeds greatness... At every position, you got to have competition. That's how you get better. That's how guys get pushed. Even when Ben Roethlisberger first got here, it wasn't like he started right away, he had to earn the position. That competition we got to have a little bit, especially after last year. You know, I thought Mason Rudolph did a pretty good job coming in the last four games and really showing that competition. Whether they bring him [Rudolph] back or not, there has to be competition in that quarterback room."

Heyward is one of the Steelers' leaders both on and off the field, so it is worth paying attention to his statement that the 2023 season created an absolute need for competition in the quarterback room. Pickett has underwhelmed since entering the league as a first-round pick, injuries have gotten in the way, and then there was, of course, Matt Canada. With all that set aside, this is Pickett's chance to prove that everything else was noise and that he can do more.

Granted, Pickett's lack of offensive production over the first two years of his NFL career doesn't inspire too much confidence that there is another level to his game. Heyward has seen what Pickett brings to the team both in the locker room and on the field, so if Pittsburgh's defensive leader still feels that Pickett can be that guy, there must be at least a chance.

Steelers Can Bolster Their Offense Through The Run

Most of the attention has been focused on who will be the starting quarterback for the 2024 Steelers. As important as that position is around the NFL, and in Pittsburgh, the Steelers have the ability to create an environment in which any quarterback could thrive. All that begins with the ability to run the football consistently.

As Heyward mentioned, Roethlisberger may have started sooner than expected, but he still earned the spot and then kept it without much doubt. However, Roethlisberger didn't do everything on his own; in fact, he was surrounded by an excellent supporting cast that included a bruising, productive rushing attack with Jerome Bettis and Willie Parker. The 2024 Steelers might not have Bettis, but they do have an impressive two-headed monster in Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren.

To give a quarterback the confidence to know that all he has to do is hand the ball off, and yards are sure to be gained, should allow that passer to thrive with a calm demeanor. When a quarterback doesn't have to win the game all on their own, it gives them the chance to settle in and help the team win, instead of carrying them. Despite a lack of past production, it seems like the Steelers have a great landing spot for whoever is under center in 2024.