Bill Belichick Says Patriots Would’ve Drafted Cam Heyward If Steelers Didn’t: ‘We Couldn’t Trade Up’

A Stacked Draft and the Fervor for Heyward

The 2011 NFL Draft was undeniably stacked. From Cam Newton, Von Miller, J.J. Watt to Julio Jones, the class was filled with several electric talents. However, one player who particularly caught the attention of the New England Patriots’ Head Coach, Bill Belichick, was Cam Heyward. In a recent revelation, Belichick has stated that the Patriots would have drafted the defensive end, had the Pittsburgh Steelers not beat them to it.

Belichick’s Admiration for Heyward

Cam Heyward’s athleticism and capability to disrupt offenses had made him a notable standout in Ohio State, and a top target in the NFL Draft. So much so that Bill Belichick himself has confessed his admiration for the player, expressing his regret that the Patriots couldn’t secure him in their team. “We couldn’t trade up,” said Belichick in an interview, revealing that they had indeed contemplated making moves, but the price was too steep.

Heyward’s Dominance in the NFL

Heyward has indeed proved his worth in the NFL with a commanding presence on the defensive line for the Steelers. His career boasts nine seasons with over 400 tackles, 58 sacks, and six forced fumbles. In the 2020 season alone, he managed 54 combined tackles, four sacks, and one forced fumble, earning him a place in the Pro Bowl for the fourth consecutive year. Such stats indicate that Belichick’s fondness for Heyward’s talent was not misplaced.

Patriots’ Draft Strategy Under Belichick

Belichick, in his tenure with the Patriots, has always been known as a strategic drafter. Although they missed out on grabbing Heyward in 2011, they’ve been successful in drafting talented faces like Rob Gronkowski and Chandler Jones who have helped shape the team’s identity. The Patriots’ Head Coach’s willingness to trade up for Heyward further reveals his ability to recognize and secure talent that best fits the team’s style and needs.

Belichick’s Regret Reinforces Heyward’s Value

Although Heyward has been devoid of the splashy highlights some of his 2011 peers have made, his consistent dominance has been instrumental in the Steelers’ defense. Belichick’s recent admission of his intention to trade up for Heyward almost a decade ago only reaffirms Heyward’s significance amongst his 2011 class and his integral contribution to the Steelers. It’s clear the game missed out on a fascinating what-if scenario of Heyward wearing a Patriots jersey, but Patriots’ loss ultimately became Steelers’ gain.