Mike Tomlin Makes Serious Draft Move On Cam Heyward Replacement Days After Steelers DT’s Outburst on QB Situation

Pittsburgh Steelers have long prided themselves on their defensive identity. From the Steel Curtain to the era of T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh has always built through defense. But now, they’re facing a challenge that feels almost impossible: replacing Cam Heyward. Not immediately, not in a single move—but the process has begun. And Mike Tomlin? He’s got a plan.

Back in 2023, the idea of finding one player to replace Heyward was laughed off. “There is no replacing Cam Heyward,” AP’s Will Graves wrote. But Tomlin himself didn’t even entertain the thought.

Instead, he deployed a rotation of guys—Watts, Loudermilk, Leal, Benton—to hold the line while Heyward recovered from injury. But even then, it was clear: the Steelers would eventually need a true heir to Heyward’s throne.

And that time? It’s now. Enter Joshua Farmer.

If you haven’t been paying attention to Florida State’s defensive front, let’s fix that. Farmer is a 6’3”, 305-pound wrecking ball with 35-inch arms that seem designed to swat passes out of the air and shove offensive linemen into their own backfields.

The Steelers first met him at the Senior Bowl, where he showed exactly why he’s climbing draft boards. Since then, Tomlin and his crew have kept a close eye, bringing him in for an official pre-draft visit.

But hold on… Doesn’t the connection makes too much sense?

Farmer isn’t just a big body; he’s got explosiveness, raw power, and that Steelers-style relentlessness. His numbers back it up, too—posting a 5.11-second 40-yard dash, a 29-inch vertical, and a 9-foot-4 broad jump. Those aren’t just numbers; those are signs of a guy who can move in ways 305-pound humans shouldn’t. You can see why Pittsburgh is interested.

However, let’s not pretend this is a simple transition. Cam Heyward isn’t just a defensive lineman—he’s the DEFENSE! As Larry Ogunjobi put it, “He’s an integral part of the defense. He’s the heartbeat.” That’s not an exaggeration.

Replacing Heyward isn’t just about sacks and run defense; it’s about leadership, experience, and a mindset that defines this team. Can Farmer step into those shoes? Can anyone? That’s what Tomlin and the Steelers are betting on.

Meanwhile, Heyward himself has been vocal about the urgency of winning now. “We have a lot of guys like myself that are in the latter stages of their career, and we all want to win,” he said. Not just a playoff win either—he wants the big one.

So, if the Steelers are serious about contending while guys like Watt and Fitzpatrick are in their primes, they need to get the trenches right. Farmer might not be a first-rounder, but he could be a high-value steal in the second or third.

But what’s next? Basically, the transition from Heyward to the future might just be smoother than anyone expected. Now, all that’s left is waiting for draft day. But knowing Tomlin, he’s already got his plan in motion. As for Cam? He’s laying out the blueprints for Mike and he might be really straightforward and loud about it.

Cam has some strong advice for Mike Tomlin and the Steelers

If you’re waiting for someone to put Mike Tomlin on blast, don’t hold your breath. Cam Heyward isn’t that guy. The Steelers’ defensive anchor hopped on The Pivot Podcast and made one thing clear—Tomlin is the guy to lead this team. Why? Motivation. The man has a way of getting players locked in, year after year.

“He finds ways to motivate guys in and out of every season,” Heyward said. And it’s not about grand speeches or rah-rah moments. Tomlin knows how to get in a player’s head the right way. “He can get it down to just an individual basis where it’s like, you’ve done this. Let’s see if you can hit this again.”

So, that’s the kind of leadership that doesn’t just build a team—it builds a culture. One where every guy knows he’s got a role, and expectations are sky-high. Now, does that mean every Steeler is on board with every move? Not exactly. Just ask Heyward about Aaron Rodgers.

Cam Heywards message to Aaron Rodger’s

“Either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don’t. It’s That simple, that’s the pitch.”

#NFL #Steelers pic.twitter.com/UBJsjcRQep

— The Standard (@TheStandard412) March 18, 2025

“I ain’t doing that darkness retreat. I don’t need any of that crap. Either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don’t. That’s simple, that’s the pitch.,” Cam said. Meanwhile, you could practically hear Steel City clapping in agreement. Because Pittsburgh doesn’t want to be the go-to landing spot for future HOFers for their ‘Last Dance.’

As for Cam? He doesn’t want Pittsburgh to get into all that, but he wants them to focus on filling the gap with a young gun. Because he simply cannot get over the Steelers losing Justin Fields. Yeah, that stings… So, the veteran DT kept it real and didn’t sugarcoat it: “Justin’s a class act. He is a guy that works his tail off and wants to lead by example. I was kind of bummed it didn’t work out here. I thought we were gonna have a chance to get him.”

Meanwhile, it turns out, Fields had other plans. The Jets swooped in, and Heyward doesn’t blame him. Fields and Garrett Wilson already have chemistry from their Ohio State days. That’s huge. Also, let’s not forget—Fields has been soaking up knowledge from guys like Russell Wilson. “I know that dude’s gonna dominate in New York. He’s gonna give that team a good chance.”

That’s high praise. Also, Heyward doesn’t throw out MVP talk for just anyone. But Fields? Yeah, according to him, he’s the guy who “could be an MVP down the road.” For the sake of Pittsburgh, they’d be hoping that’s not the case when they come face to face in 2025.

But that’s the game now. Let’s see whether Tomlin’s men got the next ‘man up’ mentality.

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