Steelers meet with 1st-round prospect and family friend of Cam Heyward

The Pittsburgh Steelers have taken an interest in a close family friend of Cameron Heyward at the NFL Scouting Combine, Kayden McDonald, who is also one of the top defensive tackle prospects of the 2026 NFL Draft.

At the scouting combine, McDonald revealed to reporters just how special his family's relationship is with the Heywards, as well as indicating he was interviewed by Pittsburgh.

“We have a great relationship — the Heyward family, my family and the Steelers,” McDonald said via Chris Adamski of the Tribune-Review. “It’s a great opportunity. I had a formal interview with the Steelers, and I felt really good about it.”

Per Adamski, McDonald's older brother Jayden played football with Connor Heyward growing up, which brought the two families together.

A pairing with Cameron and Connor Heyward could be on the horizon for McDonald, as the Steelers are still expected to address their defensive line in both free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft.

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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: 2026 NFL Scouting Combine: Steelers meet with top DT prospect