Cam Heyward's tired of people overlooking Ben Roethlisberger.
As the Steelers have been predicted to finish third in the AFC North by ESPN panelists in early May and Las Vegas' opening odds had the Steelers also with the third-best odds to win the division, much of that points to criticism and doubt that Roethlisberger can play at a high level in 2021.
I guess none of those involved with those rankings talked to Heyward.
"I think we're just blowing it out of proportion," Heyward said of how last season ended. "We can sit up here and talk about we lost to the Cleveland Browns. OK, so be it. We fell off at the end, but we still made the playoffs. I'm not here to say my quarterback's not able to do it. I've seen this guy win Super Bowls on TV, I've seen him come here day in and day out."
Heyward's right, Roethlisberger quarterbacked every game during the Steelers' 11-0 start to 2020. During that stretch he threw 25 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He was also one of two quarterbacks to throw a touchdown pass in 15 consecutive games in 2020, with the other being Patrick Mahomes.
But he also struggled with the rest of the Steelers on their way to finishing 1-5 in their last six games, with Roethlisberger playing in all but one of those losses, including the playoff loss to the Browns when he threw four interceptions, the most he's ever thrown in a playoff game.
"You just get frustrated," Heyward continued. "I know Ben puts in work and we know how much he cares about this team. If he didn't want to do it and was just here for the money, that would be one thing. But when he sets foot in this building he's one hundred percent dedicated to this. So when I hear the bad-mouthing about him being a 'not great quarterback' and everyone's ready to elevate other quarterbacks, what have they done? This guy's a proven winner, but we're ready to discount him."
Those words are clear that as a leader on the team, Heyward believes in Roethlisberger and the Steelers' chances in 2021. And that's all that will matter to them. But also having excitement for Roehtlisberger getting a more balanced offense to lead with Najee Harris ready to revive the Steelers run game.
"Having a greater balance is going to make him that much more dangerous," Heyward said of Roethlisberger. "I know our offensive line is in flux, but they're going to be better because they're learning a different system. We brought in another running back, our receivers are a year older, we brought in another tight end. All these different things will help Ben and I'm excited for him. As a defense, when an offense can stay on the field, that let's us know we're OK. When the offense isn't on the field and we're on the field, we've got to kick butt. But when the offense is on the field we can totally get after it."
Some may think that won't help the Steelers, but id doesn't matter what those think if the Steelers can rally around their quarterback and win the AFC North for a tenth time since the NFL realignment in 2002.