January 8, 2025
‘It’s Not Easy’: Steelers defensive tackle and NFLPA representative Cameron Heyward Ended His NFL…

Steelers Cameron Heyward Rips…

The Pittsburgh Steelers are nearing the end of a grueling stretch of three games in just 11 days, and it hasn’t gone as they likely hoped, having dropped back-to-back games and with a matchup against the two-time reigning Super Bowl champions on Wednesday.

Steelers defensive tackle and NFLPA representative Cameron Heyward expressed his frustration with the demanding schedule on Monday.

“Yeah, I think that’s definitely a concern,” Heyward said when asked about player safety. “It’s a PA issue as much as an NFL issue. You don’t want to compromise the quality of the product, but we’ve been saying this since the introduction of Thursday night games. It’s not easy.”

Players are seeking answers from the NFL, which is looking to expand the season by adding another game in the near future.

It remains unclear how the NFL plans to address the challenges of longer seasons and unpredictable scheduling, but Heyward has a suggestion: adding an extra bye week.

“It would be better if we had a bye week before a Wednesday game,” Heyward said. “I’ve played on every day of the week—Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. We sign up for it all. But what does it do to the players? I wish we had better answers.”

The Steelers aren’t the only team frustrated by the Wednesday game. Their Christmas Day opponent, the Kansas City Chiefs, have also voiced their concerns.

Chiefs safety Justin Reid was outspoken when the schedule was first released and remains dissatisfied.

“When it came out, I thought it was horrible,” Reid said via Vahe Gregorian of The Kansas City Star. “And I still think it’s horrible. But it is what it is.”

Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones also shared his thoughts a few weeks ago as he prepared for a similar schedule to the Steelers’.

“One thing I’m doing this offseason is going to the NFLPA, especially with us having three games in a 10-day span, and we’re mandatory to have a late bye week. With our schedule, it’s kind of awkward, to say the least,” Jones said. “I think that’s a conversation to have this offseason.”

However, for now, the focus remains on the upcoming game. With major playoff implications on the line, the Chiefs can secure the AFC’s No. 1 seed with a win, while the Steelers need to keep pace with the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North.

Heyward, however, isn’t dwelling on the tough schedule.

“We just got done playing Saturday, but I can’t complain about it,” Heyward said. “It’s not something I’m really focused on right now. We don’t have the luxury of thinking about it. There are bigger things at stake, and the Chiefs are coming here on Christmas Day, so we’re looking forward to that.”

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