Steelers Now
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson hopes to get another crack at Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson allowed the first sack of his NFL career against Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward last season. However, Powers-Johnson doesn’t think it had anything to do with Heyward’s talent.
“I’d say playing against Cam Heyward and giving up my first sack – ever, in my entire life,” Powers-Johnson said on “The Rush” podcast. “I would have to say that. He didn’t beat me, I beat myself. I beat myself, I overset. And he got me, and said some choice words after, and I really hope he comes back for another year. That’s all I’m gonna say.”
Unfortunately for Powers-Johnson, the Steelers and Raiders aren’t scheduled to play in 2025, so he won’t get that opportunity unless the two teams meet in the postseason. The 36-year-old’s football future seems to be up in the air heading into every offseason, too.
Heyward does have two more years left on the three-year, $45 million contract extension he signed last offseason, so he could choose to play it out. He also showed no signs of slowing down last season.
In 2024, he recorded 71 tackles (35 solo), eight sacks and 11 passes defensed, keeping himself in the conversation as one of the best interior defensive linemen in the NFL.
Only time will tell how much longer Heyward will play and if Powers-Johnson will get a chance at revenge, but he seems to be focused on continuing to play at a high level in 2025.
“I think you don’t really think about passing the torch right now,” Heyward said at OTA’s last week. “I think it’s about, ‘How can we make this team the best it can be?’ It’s not about holding secrets or anything. It’s about making sure we’re all growing at a pace that, by Week 1, we’re ready to kick this thing up.”
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Raiders O-Lineman Calls Out Steelers DT Cameron Heyward: ‘He Didn’t Beat Me’
