PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) –Sunday the Steelers number two tight end might answer to ‘Meatball’ or ‘Shrimp Cocktail’. He’s also answers to ‘Cam’s brother’ as Connor Heyward will be TE-2 against Tampa Bay.
“Go out there and do my job,” Connor Heyward said. “Show my guys and my teammates that I’m capable. I think they have a lot of confidence in me. That doesn’t mean anything if I don’t go out there and produce.”
Zach Gentry goes from being a Steelers project to TE-1 on Sunday with Pat Freiermuth out with a concussion on Sunday. He’s a big opportunity for Gentry in that position, same for the 2022 sixth-round pick, Heyward.
“He’s done a fantastic job, especially over the last few weeks,” Gentry said. “You can see his growth. He knows the system a lot more. He’s playing a lot faster because he’s knows what he’s doing. Yesterday at padded practice, he was firing off the ball and thudding people.”
“He’s always been a great route runner and catcher. Everything is coming together for him. He looks good.”
Connor Heyward said he’s progressed a lot mentally, more comfortable. It’s processing faster from hearing the plays to it being second nature to just go execute.
“I thought Connor jumped in and made a couple of plays Sunday that showed his readiness,” said Steelers Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada. “Obviously we had him playing pretty much a spotty role here through the start of the season. We have two tight ends that have played a lot of football for us that we count on. His role is a little bit different. He’s a little bit different body than the other two guys.”
“I thought he stepped in and made a couple of plays and was ready to go. It’s what you expect a guy to be. Happy with where he’s at, hoping to keep trending the right way.”
It is a different look from the 6’5” Freiermuth and the 6’8” Gentry, Heyward listed at 6’, 230. Which is where the ‘Shrimp Cocktail’ nickname comes from, TJ Watt started it when seeing a formation where Heyward lined up next to Gentry giving up at least eight inches.
Heyward not really a fan of the ‘Shrimp Cocktail’ nickname, not that ‘Meatball’-given when Gentry saw him come in disheveled to a team meeting and thought he looked like a meatball-is much better. You can’t choose your nicknames, but you can choose to come to work and show what you can do. That’s been Heyward’s process, keep his head down and work hard.
“I feel like practice and even last week without those moments,” Connor Heyward said of seeing his progress. “Without practice you can’t mess up so you can get better. Going out against our defense I feel I have gotten better.”
The leader of that defense is his brother.
“I think he’s finding comfort in what he’s doing,” Cam Heyward said. “Just continuing to keep learning, asking the right questions. I know there are mistakes. Sometimes he is quick to point them out to me. Even tough times like that, he’s understanding where he needs to be better.”
“I’m excited for him. This is his moment, got to be ready for it.”
“I thought he stepped in and made a couple of plays and was ready to go,” Canada said. “It’s what you expect a guy to be. Happy with where he’s at, hoping to keep trending the right way.”
After years of Cam Heyward being the Steeler making plays, Sunday is a chance for Conner. He might even earn a new nickname with a solid performance.