Cam Heyward Offers Two Thumbs Up For Steelers Avoiding Joint Practices

A reduction in preseason games has increased the popularity of joint practices. Scrimmages during training camp with an opposing team introduce lesser-known players while keeping a controlled environment. Pittsburgh has held several in the past but is one of just four teams to go without this summer. Cam Heyward is more than fine with that news.

“We have conversations before, but then it still turns into everybody trying to get their best shot,” Heyward told Sirius Radio after Friday evening’s practice. “It’s like, dude, we’re all trying to make it to the game.”

In theory, joint practices create more structure to prevent tempers from flaring. But those practices have become notorious for fights that disrupt and sometimes even cancel the session. The chance to hit someone who doesn’t wear your jersey is a chance many relish and, as Heyward alludes to, leads to each side trying to throw their best figurative, and sometimes literal, punch.

Keeping Pittsburgh’s plan in-house away from prying eyes is another reason Heyward disdains joint sessions.

“We don’t wanna trade secrets with anybody,” he said. “We wanna hold onto everything; we wanna hold in your communication. I’m not a big proponent of having joint practices.”

Pittsburgh’s last joint scrimmage came in 2024 against the Buffalo Bills right after the team broke camp. The team has previously practiced with the Detroit Lions and other clubs. Often, the Steelers find an opponent on their home preseason schedule to make logistics easier. The opponent is already coming to town and isn’t making an extra trip.

It’s not clear why Pittsburgh didn’t hold one this year. The Steelers have always had their joint practices at home, so perhaps they couldn’t align schedules. Perhaps Mike McCarthy didn’t want to introduce another element in a training camp where he’s trying to lay the groundwork of his system and scheme. It may be, however, a reason why QB Aaron Rodgers could play in the preseason since there isn’t a joint practice for him to get a look against a non-Steelers’ defense.

Whatever the reason, the Steelers’ focus this summer is on themselves. Heyward is more than happy with that outcome and hopes for a repeat in 2027, potentially his final training camp.