Connor Heyward: Everything you need to know

Heyward and the Raiders agreed to terms on a two-year, $5.5 million contract Thursday that includes $2 million guaranteed, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Heyward was selected by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft and spent the first four years of his professional career in Pittsburgh. He was used mostly on special teams last year but was also used as a rusher on short yard-to-gain situations, finishing with 15 carries for 43 yards and two touchdowns across 17 regular-season games. Per Rapoport, Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak intends to use Heyward more as a fullback in the Las Vegas offense.

Heyward secured three of four targets for 21 yards and a touchdown while logging 15 carries for 43 yards and two scores over 17 appearances during the 2025 regular season. Heyward played mostly on special teams in 2025 and wasn't very involved in the passing game. However, he saw some short-yardage work on the ground down the stretch and reached the end zone in two of the team's final four regular-season games. The Steelers had an abundance of options at tight end for most of the season, including Pat Freiermuth, Jonnu Smith and Darnell Washington (forearm), and it certainly seems possible that Heyward will look for other opportunities as an unrestricted free agent this spring.

Heyward carried four times for four yards and a touchdown in Monday's 28-15 win over the Dolphins. A hybrid fullback/tight end who had logged just eight touches through the Steelers' first 13 games of the season, Heyward was surprisingly called upon for direct snaps on all four occasions he was on the field for the Pittsburgh offense in Monday's win. After extending drives in the first and second quarters on a pair of 4th-and-1 conversions, Heyward then found paydirt on a 3rd-and-goal carry with 17 seconds left in the first half to give Pittsburgh its first points of the night. The touchdown was the second of the season for Heyward, who previously recorded a 12-yard receiving score in a Week 6 win over the Browns.