Cam Heyward could be Steelers first double-digit sack artist since 2010
It’s not often we see players return from injury playing the best football of their career, but that’s what is happening with Steelers defensive end, Cameron Heyward.
Heyward’s been great throughout his entire career, but this year, coming off a season-ending injury in 2016, he’s been out of this world. Believe it or not, Heyward is on pace to not only shatter his personal single-season sack record, but this pace puts him on track to be the first Steelers pass-rusher with double-digit sacks since 2010.
Let’s take a brief look at how close the Steelers have come to this milestone since that year.
| Year | Player | Sack total |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | James Harrison | 5 |
| 2015 | Cam Heyward | 7 |
| 2014 | Jason Worilds | 7.5 |
| 2013 | Jason Worilds | 8 |
| 2012 | Lawrence Timmons/James Harrison | 6 |
| 2011 | James Harrison | 9 |
| 2010 | James Harrison | 10.5 |
| 2010 | LaMarr Woodley | 10 |
Yes, there has not only been a long drought since the Steelers have had a double-digit pass rusher but the last year they did they had 2!
Most Steelers fans are well aware the team has struggled with their pass rush in recent years. This is clearly shown where in some years the team sack leader barely reached 5 or 6. Heck in 2016 the 38-year-old James Harrison was their sack leader among a group of edge rushers where 2 players were 1st round picks.
Cam Heyward has the potential to break this drought, however.
Versus the Titans, Heyward managed to sack Marcus Mariota twice, bringing his sack season total to 7.
Sacking Mariota isn’t easy either; bringing down a 6’4 quarterback with 4.52 speed is no easy task. The freakishly athletic quarterback had only been sacked 12 times prior to this game, ranking him at 29th among quarterbacks.
If you project this number across 6 more games, Heyward would finish the season with 11 sacks. 11.
This would not only make him the first pass-rusher to reach double-digit sacks since 2010, but it would break the totals set by James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley that year. What makes this even more impressive is the fact that Heyward is a defensive end, where these other two were outside linebackers.
Not since defensive end Aaron Smith, who produced dual seasons with 8 sacks, has a Steelers defensive end had so much success in pass rushing.
Right now Heyward is playing probably the best football of his career. Week after week we see him dominating the line of scrimmage and punishing anybody who gets in his way.
The Steelers have some easy competition coming up on their schedule so Heyward is in a perfect position to not only break his single-season sack record but also become the 1st Steelers double-digit sack artist since 2010.
