Cam Heyward has made it clear he believes Troy Fautanu is much more than a promising young tackle. During the Pittsburgh Steelers' 2026 training camp, the veteran leader said Fautanu has the tools to play any position on the offensive line and still develop into an All-Pro.
That is a significant endorsement from one of the most respected voices in the room. The Steelers are almost through camp, with three public practices left before they break, and Heyward's assessment underlines how strongly the team views Fautanu after his offseason move to left tackle following his first two NFL seasons on the right side.
Heyward: Fautanu has the tools to be special
Speaking on the Not Just Football podcast, Heyward was asked about the young lineman's progress and did not hold back. “I really like Troy Fautanu. That’s one of those guys we’re gonna talk about in the future,” he said.
Heyward then raised the bar even higher: “I personally think he can play any position on the O-line and be an All-Pro at any one of them. I’m not just talking. I think he has the tools.”
That kind of praise matters because it comes from a veteran who has seen enough training camps to know the difference between raw potential and real long-term value. Heyward added that when he watches Fautanu compete, “there’s a level of respect there,” and said the young lineman “doesn’t get enough love”.
Why Fautanu stands out in Pittsburgh
The Steelers already view Fautanu as one of their best options at offensive tackle, and comments like these only strengthen that case. If he can settle at left tackle after working on the right side for his first two NFL seasons, Pittsburgh may have a player who can anchor a premium spot for years.
Heyward's comments also fit the wider theme of camp so far: the Steelers are looking for dependable pieces who can hold their ground in a roster battle. Dean Lowry has also drawn praise, with Heyward noting his hand usage, control of blocks and quickness out of his hips. He said Lowry was “making plays” even while the defensive front has been rotated heavily.
Lowry's situation is different from Fautanu's, of course. He was viewed as a possible sleeper to make the 53-man roster after appearing in 12 games with one start in 2024, but he is still competing in a crowded defensive line room. Fautanu, by contrast, is being discussed as a possible long-term starter at a premium position.
For the Steelers, that is the encouraging part. The camp noise is not just about who is making the roster right now, but about which players can define the next stage of the team. On that evidence, Heyward believes Fautanu belongs in that conversation.
There is also a broader lesson in the way Heyward framed it. In a league where offensive line versatility is often treated as a backup skill, he suggested Fautanu could become elite anywhere he lines up. That is the sort of belief teams do not hand out lightly, especially not to a young player still early in his career.
