The Defensive End was a backup in his first two seasons, and in 2013, he finally became a starter at LDE.  From 2013 to 2015, Heyward was arguably a middle-of-the-road Defensive End, and after a torn pectoral held him to seven Games in 2016, he seemed to have put it all together afterward.

Heyward was a First Team All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 2017, where he had 12.0 Sacks and 16 Tackles for Loss.  A Pro Bowler again in 2018, Heyward repeated his Pro Bowl/First Team All-Pro dual honor in 2019 with 83 Tackles, 9.0 Sacks, and a 17 in Approximate Value, which was seventh overall that year.  Heyward was a star again in 2019, earning his second First Team All-Pro, and 2020 saw his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl.  Heyward continued his late-career run as one of the best Defensive Tackles, with a fifth Pro Bowl and third First Team All-Pro in 2021. The former Buckeye added a sixth straight Pro Bowl in 2022.  Last season, Heyward was again named to the Pro Bowl, added his fourth First Team All-Pro, and, for the first time in his career, he received votes for the Defensive Player of the Year (13th).

Still a Steeler, Heyward's peak might be over, but any player who can make the top 20 on one of the most decorated teams in professional football is one hell of a talent.  Throw in the 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, and you have an all-time great on any list.