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 make too much sense?
Let’s list how… 1. Farmer isn’t just a big body. Yeah, just like many, he got under the radar of having a short arm. So, a short reach. But to be part of the Steel Curtain you just need the power and explosiveness to block the chains and the college graduate has got it. As you say, the Steelers-style relentlessness.
2. The numbers speak for themselves. 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… More importantly, the mindset. Yeah, good luck finding that. I mean, Cam’s literally the guy who says, “When 10 guys do their job and one guy doesn’t, we are screwed.” So, do you think, just a rookie, even if that rookie is Farmer, can step into those shoes? Can anyone? That’s what Tomlin and the Steelers are betting on.
via Imago
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—he’s not here to listen to Tomlin hate. While the fans, in and out of Pittsburgh, are tired of the postseason failures, Cam still believes.
But why? “He finds ways to motivate guys in and out of every season,” Heyward said. No, it’s not about the locker room 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.”
