Jackson Powers-Johnson walks back Steelers' Cam Heyward criticism: 'He did beat me'
Jackson Powers-Johnson walks back Steelers' Cam Heyward criticism: 'He did beat me'
The feud between Steelers' Cam Heyward and Raiders' Jackson Powers-Johnson has just been resolved — as the second-year offensive lineman walked back his frustrations directed at Pittsburgh's veteran defensive tackle.
On Tuesday's episode of Maxx Crosby's podcast, Powers-Johnson retreated from his original "He didn't beat me, I beat myself" stance:
"I'm speaking to Cam — he did beat me," Powers-Johnson said. "He did beat me. I got my a-- kicked that game. I understand, but I want to go against the best of the best. So, I'm never going back down against that. I would love to play against him again, and I hope he has a great career."
A few weeks ago, Powers-Johnson mentioned giving up his first sack to Heyward as his 'welcome to the NFL' moment, at the time refusing to credit the success of the play to the veteran Steelers defender. Heyward would take to his own podcast to fire back at the Raiders center's comments.
It's a positive development that the Raider was willing to admit his own faults while also paying Heyward the respect he's due.
For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
40 minutes ago
- USA Today
Previewing the 2025 season for Texas A&M DL DJ Hicks with his player profile
Previewing the 2025 season for Texas A&M DL DJ Hicks with his player profile As we gear up for the 2025 football season, Aggies Wire is breaking down every player on the Texas A&M roster. Throughout the preseason, each profile will highlight the player's background, recruiting rankings out of high school, and their projected role under head coach Mike Elko this year. DJ Hicks, the top-rated recruit from Texas A&M's 2023 class, enters the season as a veteran presence on the defensive line. The Aggies will rely on Hicks to help fortify their run defense, lining up alongside Albert Regis and Cashius Howell to create a formidable front. While Hicks' statistics through two seasons may not leap off the page, his experience across 24 games, mostly in rotational roles behind current NFL talent, has prepared him for a breakout junior year. With his name now penciled in atop the depth chart, Hicks is expected to see his most significant playing time yet. Preseason Player Profile Hometown: Katy, Texas Height: 6-5 Weight: 310 lbs. Class in 2025: Junior Recruiting Rankings (Class of 2023) National: No. 11 No. 11 Position (DL): No. 1 No. 1 Texas: No. 2 The former five-star prospect, Hicks earned 2022 Texas District 19-6A Co-Defensive MVP honors his senior year. After contributing in nearly every game since arriving in College Station, 2025 could be the year he cements his legacy. Depth Chart Outlook For the first time, Hicks enters fall camp as a projected starter, listed beside senior Albert Regis. Expect him to play a key role in Texas A&M's defensive success this season. Here's what coach Mike Elko had to say about the junior DL during the Dallas Coach's Night: "I think DJ Hicks is probably that guy who is going to step into that limelight this year and fulfill his potential." Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
ESPN disrespects Steelers LB T.J. Watt on All Quarter Century Team
ESPN disrespects Steelers LB T.J. Watt on All Quarter Century Team ESPN undertook the project of putting together its All Quarterback Century teams on offense and defense. When you think about the best players from 2000 to 2025, plenty of Pittsburgh Steelers, past and present, come to mind. One player who immediately came to mind for us was edge defender T.J. Watt. Watt has been in the league since 2017 and has a league-high 108 sacks during that stretch. So he had to make the list, right? Well, kinda. Watt wasn't named one of the four best. He made the practice squad. And who made the list over him? Of course it's Cleveland Browns edge Myles Garrett. We have no issue with Demarcus Ware, Julius Peppers and Jared Allen making the list. They are all NFL legends and deserving. But putting Garrett on the team and relegating Watt to the practice squad just feels like ESPN is trolling the Steelers at this point. Joining Watt on the practice squad was Michael Strahan, with whom Watt shares the single-season sack title.
USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
Oklahoma Sooners QB commit predicted to flip to Florida State
Oklahoma Sooners QB commit predicted to flip to Florida State The Oklahoma Sooners quarterback situation has been a roller coaster ride in the 2026 recruiting class. The Sooners have a four-star quarterback, Jaden O'Neal, committed to the class. He's been pledged to OU since last summer. However, Ben Arbuckle and Oklahoma's pursuit of four-star quarterback Bowe Bentley has put that commitment on shaky ground. O'Neal originally committed to former offensive coordinator Seth Littrell, but remained committed to the Sooners throughout the offensive coordinator turnover that brought Arbuckle to Norman. Since the Sooners offered Bentley back in January, the word was OU wanted to sign two signal callers in the 2026 cycle. Though unlikely, Oklahoma was able to keep O'Neal committed even as it pursued Bentley. But that commitment may not stick much longer. O'Neal just completed an official visit to Tallahassee with the Florida State Seminoles, a place the four-star prospect has visited twice over the last few months. Not long after the visit, Zach Blostein of Noles247 issued a crystal ball prediction, expecting O'Neal to flip his commitment to Florida State. "To see that energy displayed time and time again, it shows the consistency," O'Neal told Noles247. "And the support staff around him as well, it shows that he knows what he's doing. He has a couple vets in there, a couple Pro Bowlers. Coach knows what he's doing." Head coach Mike Norvell, offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, and the Seminoles have heavily pursued O'Neal over the last six months, hoping to pull him away from the Sooners. Though there hasn't been any decision made, Florida State looks like it has made a major play to get the blue-chip prospect away from OU. While the college football world, specifically Oklahoma and LSU, await a decision from Bentley, O'Neal may not wait for an announcement to decide to switch his pledge to Florida State. Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
