Insider Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the Pittsburgh Steelers wanted full back Connor Heyward to return for 2026. But it’s not going to happen.
Rapoport reported Thursday night the Las Vegas Raiders signed Heyward to a 2-year, $5.5 million contract. The deal will include $2 million guaranteed.
“The Steelers wanted Heyward back, but Klint Kubiak wants him as his FB for what he’s building in Vegas,” wrote Rapoport on X.
Heyward played full back but also fulfilled a lot of other roles during his four seasons with the Steelers. Previous head coach Mike Tomlin raved about Heyward’s versatility during the 2022 NFL Draft.
“He’s a Swiss Army knife. He’s very talented. He has a nice skill set,” Tomlin told reporters in April 2022 when the team drafted Heyward. “He’s a capable runner. He’s a capable blitz pickup guy. He’s very good in terms of the screen game, timing and feel.”
During his first three seasons, Heyward lined up as a full back, tight end, and slot receiver on Pittsburgh’s offense. He also played an intricate role on special teams.
Then in 2025, Heyward became the team’s quarterback on its own version of the “tush push.” The Steelers ran that formation 16 times with Heyward behind center during the regular season.
Heyward never missed a game during his four-year Steelers tenure. He posted 44 catches for 379 yards with three touchdowns. Heyward also had 70 rushing yards and two scores on the ground.
During 2025, 11 of his 15 rushing attempts resulted in first downs.
Connor Heyward Signs 2-Year Deal With Raiders: Report
Heyward’s departure Thursday capped off a mixed day for the Steelers. While they added starting safety and Pittsburgh native Jaquan Brisker, the team also lost wide receiver Calvin Austin III, safety Miles Killebrew and Heyward in free agency.
Heyward didn’t fill the stat sheet, but it could be difficult for the Steelers to find another player that fulfilled all the roles he did.
During 2025 alone, Heyward had at least 14 snaps at full back, tight end, slot receiver and quarterback. He also lined up for seven snaps out wide at receiver.
Even so, Heyward played a career-low 90 offensive snaps. But that was because the team featured Darnell Washington more often in 2025 and also acquired former Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith last summer.
Now without Heyward, the Steelers have lost half of the tight ends from their 2025 roster. The team released Smith before the start of NFL free agency.
On special teams, Heyward played on nearly all units — kick coverage, kick return, punt coverage and punt return.
During each of his four seasons with Pittsburgh, Heyward played at least 247 special teams snaps. He peaked with 403 offensive snaps during 2023.
Steelers TE Depth Entering 2026
As previously stated, the Steelers tight end depth took a major hit with Heyward’s departure. Undrafted free agent J.J. Galbreath is now the team’s No. 3 tight end.
If there’s any good news, the Steelers probably won’t feature tight ends as much next season as they did in 2025. Former offensive coordinator Arthur Smith deployed multi-tight end sets as much as anybody last year. But new head coach Mike McCarthy has a more wide receiver centric offense.
Washington and Pat Freiermuth returning should give the Steelers plenty of quality at tight end.
Still, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Steelers added a more experienced potential TE3. If they could find one who also has the ability to play full back and/or special teams, that would be terrific.
But that’s probably a difficult ask. That’s what made Heyward unique.
Steelers See ‘Swiss Army Knife’ Depart on $5.5 Million Deal: Report