Cameron Heyward: The Steelers' defense has no room for error

The locker room sense remains the same through three games as it did for two. The Steelers have a simple answer for their struggles - winning.

"We just got to get this damn W." Cameron Heyward couldn't have summed it up any better when asked what this team needs to do find success. And he isn't wrong. 

Statistically, the Pittsburgh Steelers shouldn't be losing. Their defense has recorded half the number of fumbles they did in 2019, through three games, and is on pace to have a better stat line then they did a year ago. 

Adding players like Steven Nelson and Minkah Fitzpatrick have supplied this secondary with a sense of security. Mark Barron and Devin Bush fill a void in the middle that was overly alarming in 2018. Yet, the struggles seem bigger than those of a year ago. 

To Heyward, he realizes the defense is close to overcoming this leap. The entire defense does. "Our execution has to be flawless. Our room for error is out the window. We have to be perfect at everything we do," Heyward said. 

It's no longer a matter of a talent but execution. This defense is occupied by nine first-round picks, leaving almost no room to talk about how they struggle in NFL ability. Even if one or two are considered busts, it's hard to imagine all nine have failed to make it in this league. 

It's now on the shoulders of making things work. The Steelers defense received enough hype over the summer to believe there's a spark somewhere within this group of guys. 

The struggles remain a mix of everyone's. To Heyward, it's now his job to take that first step towards perfect. "It's my job to keep guys accountable, it's my job to keep these guys ready for this opportunity," Heyward said.