PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Cam Heyward and TJ Watt combined have 24 years with the Steelers all under the same head coach. What do they agree is different this year under Mike McCarthy—details. What each said about early impressions and excitement for 2026.
Let’s start with this, and much of it is likely attributed to an entirely new coaching leadership, the captains on both sides of the ball are in attendance for voluntary workouts. They are embracing the change, not complaining about it.
“It’s a different challenge,” Heyward said. “I’m just trying to be open to it. Just trying to learn. It's not like there can only be one good coach in the League,
and I've always admired Coach McCarthy from afar, and just want to learn.”
“I think the best thing you can do is put your ego aside and learn from great coaches.
“It's been a lot, not going to lie to you,” Watt said. “It's been a lot of studying, a lot of learning, a lot on the iPad. Also, trying to see the new faces, not only players but coaches, but it's been a lot of really good work.”
“As you guys can see, practices are a little bit different around here, tougher as you get older to get the work in, but it's all been phenomenal.”
Watt then elaborated on the changes, there are no more benches on the sidelines during practice where typically veterans would sit in-between drills. Rarely are there moments for anyone to have time off during the two hours. Per rules of reporting on practices, I’m not allowed to share more details, but know it’s constant work.
“We're just doing things much different than what I'm used to over the last nine years, and it's good,” Watt said.
The 31-year-old pass rusher has been impressed with new outside linebackers coach CJ Ah You and the different drills he has for them and the competition he’s created in those drills.
“Change is good for me, really.”
And that includes for the first time adapting to a role of bouncing around the line of scrimmage.
TJ Watt discusses moving around the line this year
“You embrace the change,” Heyward said. “I think there are things that you want to stay the same, but you have to be willing to put your ego aside and do what's best for the group. It's not just young players, it’s young coaches too that still have to learn, and we just want to be an olive branch to that.”
Heyward was careful not to compare the head coaches and said they are still early in the process. He added both sides are still learning about each other and he feels like this staff came into a team with a ‘good base’. He also said the coaches have been willing to listen to ideas from the vets, specifically new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, who has told his players they need to earn being a part of the Steel Curtain history.
“It’s just great energy and a great love for football,” Watt said of Graham. “Wanting to break it down and make it make sense to you. And also having a lot of walkthroughs, has been very beneficial to us so that we're not just sitting in a classroom for the whole day. We're actually getting up and having those interactions with other teammates where we're looking at the big board and having that walkthrough time.”
“There's a lot of gas in the tank,” Heyward said. “Last year that left a bitter taste in our mouths. Then you had guys like Jamel Dean, Jaquan Brisker, and Sebastian Joseph-Day. I think it's a multitude of that, and then our younger guys continue to grow, which benefits us, and hopefully, our older guys are still on the cusp of getting better.”
Change is here for the Steelers and those most affected by it are integrating the shift to new ideas. It’s been fascinating to watch. What will it mean when they hit the field for real in three months?
What the veterans said about what is different under Mike McCarthy
What the veterans said about what is different under Mike McCarthy
