Steelers six-time Pro Bowler announces offseason surgery

Heyward seemed uncertain about his football future following Pittsburgh's wild-card round loss to the Bills. But he announced his plans to return last month.

"I'm not retiring. I hate to be blunt about it, but I'm not retiring," Heyward said on his 'Not Just Football with Cam Heyward' podcast. "I would like to get my body healthy. I just played an entire season on one freaking leg where I could barely run right after the season."

We now know what he meant when he said he wanted to get his body healthy. The 34-year-old suffered a groin injury in Week 1 that landed him on injured reserve for eight weeks. Clearly, it was much worse than previously thought. 

Heyward was able to return but he was never 100 percent the rest of the year, which is why he had arguably his worst statistical season in over a decade.

The six-time Pro Bowler finished the year with just 33 tackles and two sacks.

The main reason Heyward likely forced a comeback this season was to get another taste of the playoffs. But his team fell short once again, which is why he wants to give it another go in 2024.

"I think the group here, collectively, is a strong group that can win a Super Bowl," Heyward added. "I have a lot of desire for that. That's the thing that bugs me the most at night, not having an opportunity to win a Super Bowl."

Heyward will be 35 at the start of next season and it could be his last ride as injuries continue to mount at the end of his career.