Steelers' Heyward: I don't want to be on 'Hard Knocks'

Veteran defensive lineman Cameron Heyward has no interest in appearing on HBO's behind-the-scenes documentary series "Hard Knocks: In Season with the AFC North."

"I hated it. I don't want to be on this," Heyward said on a recent episode of his "Not Just Football" podcast.

In a first for the program, the in-season version of the show will follow all four AFC North teams in the final six weeks of the 2024 season and through the playoffs. The Pittsburgh Steelers will share the limelight with the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, and Cleveland Browns.

The three-time first-team All-Pro defender is concerned that the players' behavior in the locker room could be misinterpreted during filming of the show.

"The locker room is the locker room, and I just don't want that getting messed up. There's so many inside jokes. There's so many people you would assume everybody's a jerk if you heard everything. But it comes from a loving place, and it comes from a caring place," Heyward said.

Heyward has his own reservations about what will be aired when the Steelers make their first appearance in the series, but he did note that several players and head coach Mike Tomlin are bound for stardom.

There are numerous intriguing storylines for Pittsburgh entering the 2024 season. The relationship between quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields will likely be front and center, while a defensive unit led by T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Heyward could also secure plenty of screen time.

Heyward, who is entering a contract year this season, shared a post on X in June that his goal is to remain in Pittsburgh. The 35-year-old defensive lineman is set to earn $16 million in base salary in the final year of a four-year, $65.6-million extension signed in 2020.

Heyward has recorded 647 career tackles, 121 tackles for loss, and sits second in franchise history with 80.5 sacks ahead of his 14th season.