As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare for a high-stakes divisional rematch, veteran defensive leader Cameron Heyward is brushing off external noise and bulletin-board chatter from the Cleveland Browns.
Ahead of the clash, former Browns defensive back Hanford Dixon made waves by claiming the Steelers are "intimidated" and "afraid" of Cleveland. Rather than taking the bait or leaning into panic, Heyward offered a characteristically grounded, veteran response during his “Not Just Football” podcast, noting that actual motivation comes from active players on the field rather than retired talkers.
"All right, throw your pep rally. We'll handle on Sunday," Heyward said. “This guy, I know he's a former player, but that's not going to do it for me.”
His co-host,
Hayden Walsh, asked him whether bulletin board material exists only if it comes from a current player or someone involved in the game.
Heyward confirmed that, saying, “Yeah, they can talk greasy. They can say whatever they want. They won one game. I'll give them credit for that. But we got work to do."
The AFC North race is heating up, with both squads tightly grouped near the top of the division standings. The Browns managed to secure a tough victory earlier in the season, capitalizing on a costly stretch of undisciplined football from Pittsburgh.
For Heyward and the locker room, the focus remains entirely internal as they look to clean up execution, protect the football, and control their own destiny.
Trash talk aside, the intensity of the rivalry is real. Both teams currently sit at 5-2, so a lot more than pride is on the line. With first place in the division hanging in the balance, the Steelers know words will take a backseat to execution when toe meets leather on Sunday.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Cam Heyward responds to Browns trash talk ahead of rivalry game
