2024 Steelers Exit Interviews: Connor Heyward and MyCole Pruitt
The Pittsburgh Steelers 2024 NFL season has come to a close. Because the Steelers are among the 31 teams who did not finish fulfilling their ultimate goal, they are in the process of wrapping up their season and moving forward into 2025.
Since the Steelers conduct exit interviews with all their players, and the fact I have done these articles in the past, we thought we would do them yet again here at Steel Curtain Network. By outlining two players each day, we will be able to look at their season in retrospect as well as looking toward the future. Since Coach Tomlin has previously stated he starts his interviews with rookies and those heading into free agency, we will attempt to do the same to some degree. To start, we will pair the most recent draftees with another player at the same position (if possible) as we work through this process to eventually cover the entire Steelers roster.
Next up are tight ends Connor Heyward and MyCole Pruitt.
Connor Heyward
Position: Tight End
Years with the Steelers: 3
Years in the NFL: 3
Contract Status: Signed through 2025
Contract Details: $1,138,806 salary cap hit for 2025. Would cost the Steelers $38,806 in dead money if released and save $1,100,000.
Games played in 2024: 17 regular season
Games started in 2024: 5 regular season
Snaps (regular season): 207 (offense), 303 (special teams)
PFF score: 53.2 (DNQ for ranking)
Notable stats: Heyward had 6 receptions on 8 targets for 40 receiving yards and one touchdown. Heyward also had 8 tackles and a fumble recovery on special teams.
Notes: Seeing his least amount of production in his three year career with the Steelers, Connor Heyward saw a shift towards his special teams contributions being what got him on the field the most in 2024. Heyward had about half as many offensive snaps as he did the previous season, and more than a third of them came in the backfield while not getting a carry. If it wasn’t for special teams, it would be difficult to justify Heyward’s roster position. But by being able to be the only option at fullback, a down-the-depth-chart option at tight end, and a key special team’s player who was tied for the most special team snaps this season with Miles Killebrew, it’s a lot easier to justify the roster spot despite still being on a rookie deal being a big plus.
MyCole Pruitt
Position: Wide Receiver
Years with the Steelers: 1
Years in the NFL: 10
Contract Status: Free Agent
Contract Details: Contract expiring with no dead money.
Games played in 2024: 12 regular season
Games started in 2024: 5 regular season
Snaps (regular season): 271 (offense), 15 (special teams)
PFF score: 54.6 (55th of 74)
Notable stats: Pruitt had 6 receptions on 10 targets for 40 receiving yards and one touchdown.
Notes: I find it interesting that Pruitt had identical receptions, yardage, and touchdown numbers is Connor Heyward yet had two more targets. Unfortunately, he didn’t bring the special team’s snaps that Heyward did last year. But the Steelers already signing another tight end, albeit one who isn’t guaranteed to make the roster, I don’t see a reason to bring Pruitt back this season as the Steelers could probably find a better option that far down the depth chart.
Make sure you check back each day for another set of exit interviews. If you have missed any of the previous articles, they are listed here:
Troy Fautanu & Broderick Jones
Zach Frazier & Ryan McCollum
Roman Wilson & Van Jefferson
Payton Wilson & Patrick Queen
Mason McCormick & James Daniels
Logan Lee & Isaiahh Loudermilk
Ryan Watts & Damontae Kazee
Joey Porter Jr. & James Pierre
Keeanu Benton & Montravius Adams
Darnell Washington & Pat Freiermuth
Nick Herbig & Jeremiah Moon
Cory Trice Jr. & Donte Jackson
Spencer Anderson & Calvin Anderson
Larry Ogunjobi & Preston Smith
Beanie Bishop Jr. & Cameron Sutton
George Pickens & Mike Williams
DeMarvin Leal & Dean Lowry
Calvin Austin III & Ben Skowronek
