Heyward appeared on the verge of heavy emotions after loss

by Bo Marchionte
Published January 15, 2024, 09:59 PM

Buffalo, NY – Arrivingearly at Highmark Stadium added an element of exhaustion for fans digging their way into the snow buried seats. The variety of ways the snow was dispersed from section to section was an engineering marvel in the world of fandom. Shovels, squares of cardboard boxes, window scrapers and simply throwing out of the way with gloved hands provided those in attendance with a more bearable place to sit in the bitter cold.

“I appreciate the efforts of our guys in there,” Mike Tomlin said postgame after congratulating Sean McDermott on the Bills 31-17 win. “But efforts don’t get it done. So, let’s talk tangibly on why we weren’t successful.”

The unraveling of the Steelers began early in Buffalo. With snow shovels pregame to move the snow out of the rows found the love in the hands of Bills fans as they enthusiastically tossed into the air like fireworks after the Bills scored on their opening drive enroute to the win. 

“We spotted them early,” Tomlin said of the quick strikes by Josh Allen who finished with 203 passing yards along with two touchdown passes. He also set a Buffalo playoff record eclipsing Joe Cribbs 43-year strong hold on the Bills longest playoff run with a 52-yard run that pushed the lead to 21-0, Buffalo.

The 52-yard run came after a Mason Rudolph interception at the Buffalo four-yard line. It was the momentum killer that helped swing the game heavily into Buffalo’s favor. Pittsburgh, typical too its nature clawed their way back into making it somewhat interesting in their grungy fashion.

“It was a great play by the defender (Kaiir Elam),” Rudolph said. “Kind of a timing deal. I got to put the ball on the outside, but he made a great play.”

The Steelers would halt Buffalo’s momentum. A blocked field goal by Steelers nose tackle Montravious Adams led to the Steelers first points of the game under the whistle of the two-minute warning. Rudolph went 3-for-3 on the series for 20-yards and a touchdown pass to Diontae Johnson from the Buffalo 10.

Heading into the half, Pittsburgh was trailing 21-7 and kept the Bills offense under wraps while working themselves back into the game. Making it a one score game 24-17 early in the fourth quarter it felt possible the opportunity to sneak out of Buffalo with a win existed.

Immediately following Pittsburgh’s touchdown, Allen would lead the Bills on a 12 play, 75-yard scoring drive that carved out over four minutes off the clock and pushed the lead back up to double digits, 31-17.

A little over six minutes remaining it was clear that the Pittsburgh playoff win drought would grow to seven years since winning. The observation to best describe Tomlin and others was a sad reflection on what was and what is to come.

Team leader Cam Heyward appeared to be fighting back tears as he took questions about not only the loss but his future with the team. Kenny Pickett sat on the sidelines as the No. 2 after being anointed the franchise’s future quarterback when the season started. Then finally the rumors created by Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio reporting Tomlin would take time after season to reflect on his future.

Personally, I’ve witnessed more selfish acts by key players this season that makes me wonder if Heyward and Tomlin see the changing of the landscape. A horizon where ‘Steelers Way’ is personal accolades and not Lombardi’s.

“It was a testament to even make the playoffs,” Heyward said postgame. “We battled all year long.”

However, the disappointment of Heyward was clear and as a person who admires his leadership and unwavering commitment to being an absolute professional it was sad to witness. Cam’s demeanor and Tomlin bolting off the podium when a question about his future all accumulated into a strange ending to the season.

“In my heart I want to play,” Heyward said in response if he wants to return. “I feel like Mike T (Tomlin) is going to be back,” Heyward said when discussing the future of the Steelers but so much time from now until the new NFL calendar year to understand what could be in store for Pittsburgh.

This loss felt differently. It was a night when the key pieces of the franchise remain vulnerable and that’s an uneasy feeling for anyone who cheers for a franchise that seems unflappable.

Steelers who head into an off-season full of more questions than answered.

Photo Credit Frank Hyatt/College2Pro.com