Cam Heyward says Mike Tomlin is still coaching him up from a distance

(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Cameron Heyward with the 31st overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. His 16 seasons with the franchise make him the team’s longest-tenured player. However, when Mike Tomlin stepped down from his position as head coach

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What is the story about?

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Cameron Heyward with the 31st overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. His 16 seasons with the franchise make him the team’s longest-tenured player. However, when Mike Tomlin stepped down from his position as head coach of the franchise in January, even the Steelers’ most experienced veteran would be in uncharted waters with a new head coach in 2026.

Fast forward to November of the 2026 season, and the Steelers are in first place in the AFC North with a 6-2 record under

Mike McCarthy. However, Tomlin’s fingerprints are very much all over this team in more ways than one.

On his “Not Just Football” podcast, the Steelers veteran defensive lineman opened up about Tomlin’s impact on the players this season through a group chat.

“He’s been texting me all season long,” Heyward admitted on his Not Just Football podcast. “Week in and week out, about different defensive linemen. Who we about to play. It’s me and T.J. together. There’s a crazy group chat going on right now.”

Tomlin acknowledged that the group chat is an example of how much he cares for the success of Heyward and Watt as they continue their careers without him leading the charge.

“Our relationships are real,” Tomlin said. “It doesn’t have anything to do with the jobs we hold. I love these dudes, man. I care about these dudes, and I wanna see them be successful. And so, sometimes wanting to see them be successful and saying some things that aren’t necessarily nice, but I’m hoping they get it from somewhere else.”

Heyward later revealed that Tomlin texted the group chat after their Week 8 win over the Cleveland Browns to thank them for doing their job and picking up the win. Even though he isn’t coaching anymore, Tomlin still has hate in his heart for the Steelers division rival.

Tomlin always had the reputation of being a “players coach” and someone that players around the league would want the opportunity to play for. Getting to hear stories from Heyward about how Tomlin continues to push him and talk to him speaks to how special their relationship was and still is.

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