Cam Heyward can make Steelers history in 2025

Almost every season, there are various franchise records or milestones which players can achieve. Sometimes they are highly publicized, and other times they are not.

For example, last season T.J. Watt moved into first place on the Steelers all-time sack list with 108.0 sacks and counting. It was highly noted when Watt achieved this early in the season.

For 2025, Cam Heyward has a chance to build upon a record that actually was an achievement last season. Going into 2024 with 194 regular season games played, Cam Heyward passed three players last year in regular season games played in a Steelers uniform in Gary Anderson (197), Mel Blount (200), and Donnie Shell (201). This put Cam Heyward is having the most games played by a defensive player in Steelers history with 211.

So what can he do in 2025? Currently, Heyward sits fourth on the all-time games played behind Ben Roethlisberger (249), Mike Webster (220), and Hines Ward (217). If Heyward reaches seven games played this season, he would move in front of Hines Ward. If Heyward can play in 10 of the 17 regular season games in 2025, he would move ahead of Mike Webster and have the most games played of any non-quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Not knowing when the Steelers bye Week for 2025 is at this time, it’s difficult to know exactly which week of the season Heyward can move one spot higher on the list. In the Steelers sixth game of the season, likely in the month of October, Heyward could tie Hines Ward for games played If he is able to appear in each game. The next game would put Heyward in sole possession of third place. Two games later, probably in November, Heyward could tie Mike Webster at 220 games and could move into second place all alone by the Steelers tenth game of the season.

As for reaching the franchise lead in games played passing Ben Roethlisberger, that feat would take Heyward beyond the two years remaining on his current contract. With Heyward turning 36 this offseason, it would be a difficult task to reach Roethlisberger during the 2027 season at the age of 38.

While it is unlikely Heyward will be able to surpass Ben Roethlisberger in games played, I wouldn’t rule him out just yet. With many wondering if he could come back at the same level from his injuries sustained during the 2023 season, Heyward turned in one of the best seasons of his career in 2024 at the age of 35. Although Father Time will eventually catch up with Heyward, I’m not ready to bet against him just yet when looking at what he has already been able to do with the Pittsburgh Steelers.