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Steelers DT Cameron Heyward doesn't want to be 'paper champions' anymore

Steelers DT Cameron Heyward doesn't want to be 'paper champions' anymore

USA Today14 hours ago
Every offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the teams NFL pundits talk about in terms of a potential Super Bowl contender. This has as much to do with the franchise history and head coach Mike Tomlin. Unfortunately, once the season starts, it's more of the same and Pittsburgh ends up being all show and no go.
Defensive tackle Cameron Heyward is one of the veterans on this roster who is tired of the narrative and the outcome.
'We're not trying to be paper champs,' Heyward said. 'We're trying to be champs.'
He's not he only veteran who has been vocal about the struggles this offseason. Edge defenders T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith have done the same. Meanwhile, the Steelers haven't won a playoff game since 2016. Having watched so many years of Steelers football, the way these teams have collapsed has been beyond puzzling. At times, it feels like the failing of the coaching staff, and other times, it really feels like it falls squarely on the players.
2025 has been another year of rebuilding for the Steelers and once again, Pittsburgh heads into training camp and the preseason with high hopes and at the same time there is cautious optimism because this team can break your heart.
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