Steelers star Cameron Heyward wins 2022 Good Guy award

Congratulations are in order for the Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward. The Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA) have selected Heyward as the 2022 recipient of the Good Guy Award. The Steelers star defensive lineman beat out three other finalists for the award. The other three nominees were AFC North rival, Cincinnati Bengals tight end CJ Uzomah, Denver Broncos safety Justin Simmons and Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin.

The Good Guy Award is awarded to an NFL player for helping pro football writers be successful at their job. The way an NFL player does this is through a variety of ways, and Heyward checked a number of boxes for the PFWA. The Steelers defensive tackle did not miss a media availability during the 2021 campaign. Beat writers for the Steelers cited Heyward’s ability to consistently answer the difficult questions, including the retirement of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, and his ability to consistently engage with the media helped build an honest rapport with reporters who cover the Steelers.

Heyward is just the second Steelers player to receive the award since its inception. The first Steeler to win the award is Hall of Fame running back Jerome Bettis. Bettis took home the trophy in its inaugural year in 2005.

Heyward was not only a good guy in the media but also good on the field of play. Heyward finished the 2021 season, starting all 17 games recording 89 total tackles, 53 solo, ten sacks, nine deflected passes, an interception, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

Steelers officially sign Mataeo Durant, Jordan Tucker and Jaylen Warren on Tuesday

The Steelers just added three new players to the roster on Tuesday according to the NFL wire. Former Duke Blue Devils running back Mataeo Durant, North Carolina offensive linemen Jordan Tucker and Oklahoma State ball-carrier Jaylen Warren all inked contracts with the organization on Tuesday afternoon.

It’s clear Mike Tomlin and the offensive staff are looking for other running back options behind starter Najee Harris. Although Warren opened last season as the No. 3 option for Oklahoma State, he caught the eyes of the coaching staff with an impressive 218-yard performance early last season vs. Boise State. He closed out the 2021 campaign with 1,216 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns and will join Durant as they compete for a role on the 53-man roster.

The three new additions come in wake of the team parting ways with a trio of players earlier today.

The Pittsburgh Steelers cut cornerback Isaiah Johnson on Monday, according to NFL insider Dov Kleiman. Johnson was one of three players removed from the roster, as the Steelers also waived long snapper Rex Sunahara and linebacker Tegray Scales.

A former fourth-round pick out of Houston, Johnson spent the 2019 and 2020 seasons with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders. He appeared in 19 games as a reserve over that span, totaling 15 tackles and five passes defended. He was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list in July of 2021 before ultimately being waived in August. 

Isaiah Johnson struggled to find a new landing spot, serving stints on the practice squads of the Cowboys, Steelers and Cardinals this past season. The Pittsburgh Steelers then signed the cornerback to a reserve/future contract in January, but have now decided it best to move on.