Steelers notes: Connor Heyward seeks to earn expanded role, Matt Rife a guest at practice
Share this post:
More than a week into the new NFL league year this March, Connor Heyward appeared poised to begin the second season of his NFL career as the No. 2 tight end on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ depth chart.
But then, Zach Gentry re-signed. A month later, another tight end (Darnell Washington) was selected on Day 2 of the draft.
All of a sudden, there were questions about how and where Heyward would fit into the Steelers’ 2023 offense. There even has been chatter he might serve more often as a fullback, especially with Derek Watt left unsigned.
Heyward, though, sounds confident his role in the offense is not only secure but could expand from his rookie season.
“I think it can change for the better,” Heyward said after the Steelers’ final organized team activities session Thursday. “I don’t know how much or whatever, but I feel like kind of the same roles — but hopefully a little bit more.
“But that’s kind of on me, just keep on putting in the work and the time and you’ll get out what you put in.”
Heyward confirmed he made an acrobatic catch during a team drill Thursday. But he didn’t convey he was overly impressed with himself for it.
“It’s practice,” Heyward said. “I feel like you’ve just got to make those plays when the ball comes to you in practice. It was a good ball, top shelf. I had to keep my feet in, but hopefully I make those plays all the time. It can’t be a one-time thing, and hopefully those plays lead over into the game.”
Funny man
Comedian Matt Rife was a guest at Thursday’s OTA session. After it ended, Rife was in the locker room chatting with a handful of Steelers players. He posed for a photo with defensive co-captains Cameron Heyward and T.J. Watt.
Rife then took to the practice field to throw, catch and kick.
Rife, who has more than 14 million followers on TikTok, is in town doing shows at the Rivers Casino.
Hey, Steelers Nation, get the latest news about the Pittsburgh Steelers here.