More to do: Last week against the New York Jets, Cameron Heyward tied Hall of Fame safety Donnie Shell for the most games played by a defensive player in Steelers history with 201.

Shell was at the game as part of the team’s alumni weekend, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Super Bowl IX, and was impressed that Heyward had reached the milestone.

“Cam is a great guy,” Shell said. “He does a lot in the community. He’s a great player.”

While Ben Roethlisberger holds the record for most games played in franchise history (249), Heyward will break the record for a defensive player this week when he appears in his 202nd career game.

And it means a lot to him.

“I don’t take being in this locker room lightly,” Heyward said. “Wearing the Steelers jersey, there’s always respect there. But to wear it over 200 times, to be around guys like Donnie Shell and others. I’m always grateful to be a part of it. But, it still means I have to produce and I want to hold up my end of the bargain.”

There’s never a problem with Heyward holding up his end of the bargain. But it’s not just on defense.

Despite playing in so many games, Heyward is still willing to go the extra mile, do whatever it takes to help the team. Including being on the field and PAT teams. It’s something he likes, especially with the success the Steelers special teams unit has had this year blocking kicks and punts.

“I don’t think I have a choice,” said Heyward, a 14-year veteran. “I’ve been doing special teams since I got here. I was raised with it. To be part of this team you have to play special teams.

“To talk about why it’s been successful, guys take it seriously. It’s not just kick, turn, turn and kick. It’s the field goal, the field goal block. The boys are stuck. We see this as an opportunity for us to make a splash.

“We’ve got guys bought in and you get results elsewhere. It’s contagious. We’ve got to keep building on that and finding ways to do that.”

If there’s anyone who can find a way, it’s special teams coordinator Danny Smith, the bubblegum-chewing bundle of energy.

“He likes his bubblegum,” Heyward joked. “He’s a guy who brings a lot of energy to the group and doesn’t settle for anything. I think year after year, every meet he’s in, everybody knows he’s in that meet. locked inside.

“I can’t speak highly enough of his work in the film. He’s always looking at film of other teams from weeks ago or years ago. He’s always looking for that edge and making sure we’re accountable for our mistakes, but then making sure we can take advantage of that as well.”

As a whole, the Steelers have taken advantage of every opportunity in front of them this season, but Heyward knows there’s more work to be done. Like some of his fellow defensive backs, he doesn’t think they’ve done all they can so far.

“I think there’s still a lot to accomplish,” Heyward said. “Even if you’re on top, you’ve got to stay on top. We’ve got to get better. There’s still little things we can clean up. Communication can always be better. You don’t have sacks you want to stop the run on.

“I think when you look at it collectively, there’s a lot we can improve on and we will.”