For the first time since 1948, the Pittsburgh Steelers will finally host the 2026 NFL Draft. The event is monumental to most in the city, but it has put defensive tackle Cameron Heyward on edge.
With the Steelers expecting a record crowd at Acrisure Stadium on Thursday night, Heyward semi-jokingly admitted that he is “freaking out” about the “pandemonium” in the host city. Heyward revealed that the city has shut down multiple bridges in anticipation of the draft.
“I’m kind of freaking out, I don’t think anybody is ready for the draft, including myself,” Heyward said on ‘The Insiders,’ via Judy Battista. “The amount of people that keep saying they’re coming to the city. There’s like 10 million ways to get one place, but they’re shutting down all the bridges. It’s pure pandemonium.”
Had a blast catching up with @CamHeyward about what the Steelers should in the draft, a certain QB, all those Buckeyes and his fear of traffic during the draft. From The Insiders on @nflnetwork. pic.twitter.com/hhQJ9PEvA3
— Judy Battista (@judybattista) April 23, 2026
Pittsburgh has high expectations after the last few host cities boasted record numbers. Detroit set a new all-time record with 775,000 attendees in 2024, and the much smaller city of Green Bay went all-out with its first hosting opportunity in 2025.
Cameron Heyward hints at Steelers drafting receiver
Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
The Steelers will not make their first selection until No. 21, when general manager Omar Khan has a number of directions to go. Heyward, however, wants his team to select either a receiver or an offensive lineman.
“I don’t want to say an exact name, but when you look at our team, I think we only have like three receivers on our team right now,” Heyward said. “We might need some extra help there. You have DK Metcalf, you have Michael Pittman, you also have Ben Skowronek, who was a Pro Bowler this year on special teams. But if we can add some more pieces, maybe get a route-runner, or even an O-lineman. I think our offense can continue to grow if we help those two positions.”
To Heyward’s desire, Pittsburgh has been connected to USC star Makai Lemon, Texas A&M slot receiver KC Concepcion, Washington wideout Denzel Boston and Indiana receiver Omar Cooper Jr. They have also been tied to Oregon guard Emmanuel Pregnon and offensive tackles Max Iheanachor and Monroe Freeling.
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