Respect does not come easily in this rivalry. For decades, Steelers and Browns players have traded insults, hard hits and the occasional brawl, and kind words across the turnpike have been rare. When a veteran leader from one side offers some, it usually means the other side has earned it. Pittsburgh’s longtime captain did just that this week.
Cam Heyward spoke about Sunday’s rematch on The Rich Eisen Show and gave the Browns high praise.
“I know they’ve got on a roll. They beat us. They beat Baltimore as well. You watched them win their game last week versus Tennessee, and they really found their footing. Everybody likes talking about the Myles Garrett of it all—that does not matter with this team. This team has come to play. Deshaun Watson is playing very good. Harold Fannin, Quinshon Judkins, and their defense, I think they’re electric. I have a lot of respect there for those guys. I’m looking forward to this game. Bring it on,” Heyward said.
“I have a lot of respect there for those guys … Bring it on!”
Cam Heyward gives respect to the Browns and expresses his excitement for the upcoming rematch in Pittsburgh 🔥
(via @RichEisenShow) pic.twitter.com/vpYAOvafia
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 27, 2026
His dismissal of the Garrett storyline stands out the most. Plenty of people expected Cleveland’s defense to take a step back after trading a 2-time Defensive Player of the Year, but the Browns rank among the league leaders in sacks and play man coverage more than any team in the NFL. Many have argued that the defense is better overall without Garrett, and Heyward seems to agree that this group stands on its own.
The players he named have backed up the praise. Watson leads the NFL with 5 game-winning drives and threw for 308 yards against Tennessee. Fannin just set the franchise record for catches by a tight end in his first 2 seasons, and Judkins ran for 96 yards and 2 touchdowns on Sunday.
The key matchup may be Heyward against the interior of Cleveland’s line. Zion Johnson, Elgton Jenkins and rookie Austin Barber just helped hold Tennessee to 1 sack, and Jenkins is back at center after missing the first meeting with a concussion.
History is still on Pittsburgh’s side. The Browns have not won a regular-season game there since 2003. Both teams are 5-2, Cleveland holds the tiebreaker, and Heyward clearly expects a battle with 1st place in the AFC North on the line.
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