Klint Kubiak made no bones about it: For his Las Vegas Raiders offense to succeed, he required a true fullback.
Thus, as the Silver & Black built a roster to the new head coach’s liking this offseason, general manager John Spytek acquired Connor Heyward in free agency on a two-year, $4.5 million contract to man the integral spot in the Raiders’ backfield.
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Standing 6-foot and 230 pounds, the Michigan State product began his NFL journey as a sixth-round pick (208th overall) by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2022 NFL Draft. A versatile tight end/fullback during his four seasons in the Steel City, Heyward’s snap count on offense waned since a career-high 408 in 2023. And despite Pittsburgh wanting him back, Heyward decided to take the offer in Las Vegas.
According to Heyward, there were other suitors, too.
“Minnesota was interested, Miami was interested, the Steelers wanted me back,” the 27-year-old said on the Not Just Football podcast which features his brother, Cam Heyward, as a host back in April. “Danny Smith, once he found out I was still a free agent, he was going to run upstairs (in Pittsburgh), and then right after that I signed. There was a lot of interest, it was more, so people didn’t really think I would leave Pittsburgh.”
By The Numbers
Connor Heyward, Fullback
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2025: 17 games (2 starts), 3 receptions, 21 yards, 1 touchdown; 15 carries, 43 yards, 2 touchdowns
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Career: (2022-25) 68 games (14 starts), 44 receptions, 379 yards, 3 touchdowns; 18 carries, 70 yards, 2 touchdowns
Heyward’s arrival in Las Vegas brings back the fullback spot that’s been absent the last two seasons under previous offensive coordinators. Before the 2024 campaign, a fullback was a constant on the Raiders roster during a 40-year cycle and the sudden disappearance was odd to see. Especially as the team’s ground game struggled mightily in 2024 and 2025.
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Kubiak is the type of coach and play caller that can get Heyward to the all-around fullback level as a lead blocker, pass catcher, and short-yardage ball carrier. And the Raiders lead man is no stranger to tight ends-turned-fullbacks which bodes well for Heyward.
You know Las Vegas wasn’t playing when the team listed Heyward as a fullback and assigned him No. 34. During his first four seasons in the league in Pittsburgh, Heyward sported No. 83 — traditional digits for a tight end.
And Heyward’s primary responsibility as a fullback in Kubiak’s offense will undoubtedly be a lead blocker. Far too often, promising running back Ashton Jeanty was met or contacted in the backfield or line of scrimmage. And that’s not something Kubiak intends to see as he takes over. Noting the team is going to maximize Jeanty’s usage after the team spent the sixth overall pick in the 2025 draft on the Boise State tailback, expect Heyward to spend plenty of time clearing a path for the running back.
Heyward gave a hint that he’ll do more than lead block.
“I talked to Coach (Klint) Kubiak and (John) Spytek, the GM, and the plans they had for my offensive usage outside of special teams. I know special teams is what I’m gonna do and that’s part of this fullback responsibility and role, but I was just excited to feel like I was wanted. Not saying I wasn’t wanted here, but it’s like being recruited again and hearing the things you can do and some of the things you haven’t done in a while, but knowing that you can do still.”
It’s plausible Heyward was referring to his ability as a pass catcher and route runner. In his rookie year, he caught 12 passes for 151 yards and one touchdown. Half of those receptions were for first downs. He followed that up with 23 catches for 167 yards (no touchdowns) in 2023. Eight of those grabs moved the chains. The last two seasons of his stint in Pittsburgh, however, saw Heyward net nine catches for 61 yards and two touchdowns. He was targeted just 12 times after garnering 51 in his first two seasons.
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Heyward’s snap counts with the Steelers dipped tremendously after the 2023 season as he notched 207 snaps on offense the following year and just 90 this past season for a total of 874 offensive snaps (174 his rookie year).
Getting back into the pass-catching mix will help both Kubiak and Heyward. Comfortable as a move tight end and H-back, Heyward showed he can run past linebackers and defensive backs with soft hands to become a trusted target. This allows Kubiak to get creative and confuse opposing defenses by either lining up Heyward in the backfield in front of the running back or at tight end and motioning the fullback back and forth. He can run routes from the backfield or as an in-line tight end or in the slot.
Heyward becoming a consistent run lane creator that can run routes and catch the ball is the type of all-around skillset the Raiders have been missing in the backfield.
And, as Heyward noted above, he’s a core special teamer too, which will make him a favorite of special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis.
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Las Vegas special teams units is in dire need of a jolt as much as the offense and defense and the Michigan State product is a physical, tenacious, and versatile specialist. He’s a rabid tackler on both kickoff and punt coverage (28 special teams tackles), has experience as a personal protector for the punter (the person who sets up blocking assignments to prevent blocked boots), and is willing to do the dirty work on special teams.
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