Cam Heyward will make a cool piece of Pittsburgh Steelers' history on Sunday, even if the veteran defensive tackle downplays its significance.

Heyward will play in his 221st career game with the Steelers (5-4) when they host the Cincinnati Bengals (3-6) at Acrisure Stadium, moving past Hall of Fame center Mike Webster on the franchise's all-time list. Ben Roethlisberger holds the record with 249.

Yet Heward shrugs off the idea of passing a franchise icon like Webster.

"Game 24 of the 2025 season is what I'm concerned with," Heyward said, referring to the Super Bowl.

The Steelers last appeared in the Super Bowl during the 2011 season, when they lost to the Green Bay Packers. That capped Heyward's rookie season, the year he was selected in the first round of the draft from Ohio State.

Heyward has gone on to a productive career. He has been named to seven Pro Bowls, been selected first-team All-Pro four times, and was the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2023.

While Heyward won't brag about his accomplishments, Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin marvels at the 36-year-old. Austin also can't resist poking a little fun at Heyward's age.

"To be as elderly as he is and to play as well as he's playing, I think it's really a testament to him and his work ethic and the things that he does to stay prepared and engaged," Austin said. "That's the one thing when you're around him, he's almost like a 24-year-old, new guy in the building. He really enjoys football. He enjoys being around the guys. He works his tail off. It's really a testament to him and what he's put into this game that he's able to reach those heights and play as long as he has and still play well as he has."

Heyward is indeed more than just an elder stateman for the Steelers. He has 1 ½ sacks, three tackles for loss, five quarterbacks hit, six passes defensed, and one forced fumble this season. Pro Football Focus grades Heyward as the best defensive tackle in the league this year at 90.8, which is also the top mark among all Steelers players.

"He's a unicorn," Austin said.