
Looking back on Steelers football, one decade ago.
Training camp starts on Wednesday — new football is almost here! But before then, let’s take a look at a Steelers season from the past.
From the first edition of this series (read it here!):
Earlier this year, I solicited some article ideas from BTSC readers, and one of them was a “where are they now” piece on past Steelers. Believe it or not, 2015 was a decade ago, and that felt like a natural spot to look back on from 2025.
In that season, the Steelers finished 10-6 and placed second in the AFC North behind the 12-4 Cincinnati Bengals. However, the Steelers would knock the Bengals out of the Wild Card round (the Martavis Bryant flip catch game) before losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos in the Divisional round.
In Part 2, we’ll be looking at the major defensive contributors on that 2015 team. You can view statistics, full rosters, and more on Pro Football Reference. Here’s what they’re up to now:
DE Cam Heyward (54 total tackles, seven sacks)

- Still on the Steelers! Heyward is entering his 15th year in the NFL at age 36 in 2025. He’s also coming off his fourth-career first-team All-Pro.
- Heyward’s 88.5 career sacks currently rank second in Steelers history, behind T.J. Watt’s 108.
- Founded “The Heyward House” through the Cameron Heyward Foundation in 2015, which “seeks to empower, enlighten, and engage youth through innovative programs, partnerships, and community outreach.” Heyward won the Walter Payton Man of the Year award in 2023.
- Hosts the weekly “Not Just Football with Cam Heyward” podcast through Vox Media.
NT Steve McLendon (14 total tackles, one sack)

- Last played in the 2021-22 NFL season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; won a Super Bowl with them in the 2020-21 season.
- He founded the Team MVP Gym (MVP stands for “McLendon Vision Performance” in this case) in Flowery Branch, Georgia, in 2019 while he was still a player. This 2023 article from Jets.com follows up with McLendon: “It’s like one of the best things ever for me because I see their process. I see their journey. I see their hard work. I see their dedication, not only in the gym, but I get to see it in their classroom.”
- Per that 2023 article, McLendon lives in Buford, Georgia, with his wife and four sons.
DE Stephon Tuitt (54 tackles, 6.5 sacks)

- Last played in 2020. Tuitt suffered an injury in 2021 and lost his brother, Richard Bartlett III, in a tragic hit-and-run that same year. Tuitt didn’t play that season and retired in 2022. “After the tragic loss of my brother Richard, and upon completing my degree from the University of Notre Dame, I know I am being called to move beyond the sport of football,” he wrote in his retirement announcement.
- Tuitt has largely stayed out of the news since his retirement. This 2022 piece from DK Pittsburgh Sports stated that the Tuitt family was still seeking answers after Bartlett’s death.
OLB Arthur Moats (35 total tackles, four sacks)

Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images
- Last played in 2017. He signed with the Arizona Cardinals in 2018 but never appeared in a regular season game due to injury; he officially retired in 2019.
- In 2019, he published the book “M. O. A. T. S. Theory of Life: A guide to becoming a person of impact and inspiration.”
- Moats is involved in a number of media endeavors, most notably the podcast “The Arthur Moats Experience.”
OLB James Harrison (40 total tackles, five sacks)

- Played in 15 games in 2015 but started just one.
- Last played in 2017, a one-and-done year with the New England Patriots after requesting his release from the Steelers. He officially retired in 2018.
- He’s found some acting gigs after football, most recently in 2021’s “Heels” TV show.
- Regularly posts insane weight-lifting videos on his Instagram. He’s active on social media and appears on various podcasts and sports shows.
- Listed as the co-owner for fitness supplement company Optimum EFX. Owns his own apparel company, Deebo Gear.
LB Ryan Shazier (87 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss)

- Shazier last played in 2017, when he suffered a career-ending spine injury against the Cincinnati Bengals. Shazier was initially paralyzed below the waist and underwent spinal surgery. He was eventually able to walk again. He officially retired in 2020, earning his Ohio State degree shortly after.
- Released the book “Walking Miracle” alongside author Larry Platt in 2021.
- Started the “Ryan Shazier Fund for Spinal Rehabilitation” after the injury.
- Entrepreneur who started a trucking LLC in 2021 per his LinkedIn and had his own CBD line in 2024. He was involved with the National Alopecia Areata Foundation from 2017-20.
- Continues to make media and podcast appearances. Was a Steelers coaching assistant in 2024.
LB Lawrence Timmons (119 total tackles, six tackles for loss)

- Timmons left the Steelers in free agency following the 2016 season, playing for the Miami Dolphins in 2017. That would be his last NFL season; he was released in 2018. Timmons was suspended for a game of his lone season with the Dolphins after going AWOL ahead of the team’s season opener.
- Per Pro Football Reference, Timmons has the second-most solo tackles in Steelers history.
- Timmons’ son, four-star WPIAL cornerback Lawrence “Jay” Timmons, recently committed to his dad’s alma mater of Florida State. The senior Timmons has stayed out of the news since his retirement.
LB Vince Williams (46 total tackles, two tackles for loss)

Photo by William Purnell/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
- Last played in 2020; retired with the Steelers in 2021 after eight seasons with Pittsburgh.
- Entering his third year as the linebackers coach for Pine Richland High School in Pittsburgh.
- Still active online and with the Steelers organization.
OLB Jarvis Jones (29 total tackles, two sacks)

- The Steelers declined Jones’ fifth-year option in 2016. Despite signing with the Cardinals in 2017, he was released with an injury settlement and never returned to the NFL. The 2013 first-rounder played just four seasons, logging six career sacks.
- Returned to his alma mater of Georgia in 2019 and graduated in 2021 with a degree in Human Development and Family Science at 31 years old. He also served as a student assistant coach.
- In May 2025, Jones was named the head coach of Carver-Columbus High School in Columbus, Georgia, where he used to play.
- Served as the Georgia Bulldogs’ assistant outside linebacker coach for five seasons; still listed as the player connection coordinator on the team’s 2025 football staff.
OLB Bud Dupree (26 total tackles, four sacks)

- Still in the NFL! Since leaving the Steelers following the 2020 season, Dupree has had stints with the Titans, Falcons, and Chargers. He signed a one-year deal to stay in Los Angeles for the upcoming 2025 season.
- 2015 was Dupree’s rookie season. He now has 59 career sacks at 32 years old.
- Returned to Georgia in 2025 to host his third annual youth football camp.
- Occasionally posts videos on his YouTube channel. He’s kept the “Bud brought a buddy” branding from his Steelers days alive.
CB William Gay (58 total tackles, two interceptions)

Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
- Gave us the funniest excessive celebration in NFL history in 2015.
- Last played in 2017; signed with the New York Giants in 2018 after being released by the Steelers but was cut before the season.
- Currently the Washington Commanders’ assistant defensive backs coach; hired in 2024. Gay was an assistant coach for the Steelers in 2019 and the defensive backs coach at Missouri State in 2020.
- Gay has been vocal over his career about raising awareness and support for victims of domestic violence. His mother was murdered by his stepfather when he was 8 years old. This 2019 Steelers.com feature details his efforts to support the Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh.
CB Antwon Blake (77 total tackles, two interceptions)

- Last played in the NFL in 2016 for the Tennessee Titans. He retired in 2017, but signed with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2019 but doesn’t appear to have played in any games.
- Wrote a children’s book in 2020 and an affirmations book in 2021.
- Per his LinkedIn, Blake co-owned a bistro from 2017-19. He’s currently listed as the owner of a private wholesale car dealership in Houston, although the company last posted online in 2022.
CB Ross Cockrell (44 tackles, two interceptions)

- Last played in 2021 for Tampa Bay. He won a Super Bowl ring with the Buccaneers’ 2020 team alongside Steve McLendon. Since his 2016 season with the Steelers, Cockrell also had stints with the Giants and Panthers.
- Cockrell has been out of the news since his retirement, but appeared at a practice for his alma mater Duke in 2024.
S Will Allen (80 total tackles, one interception)

Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images
- Retired following the 2015 season; played half of his 12-year NFL career with the Steelers.
- Founded the Will Allen Foundation in 2008, which provides educational partnerships and holiday giving for children in the Pittsburgh area and elsewhere, amongst other efforts.
- Per his LinkedIn, Allen is a member of several boards and an investor.
S Mike Mitchell (80 total tackles, three interceptions)

Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images
- Last played in 2018 for the Indianapolis Colts after being released by the Steelers earlier that year.
- Served as the Colts’ assistant defensive backs coach from 2022-23. He wasn’t brought back for the 2024 season. He said in 2024 he’d be open to returning to the Steelers as a coach.
Other notable Steelers on defense in 2015:
- LB Sean Spence
- S Robert Golden
- DB Brandon Boykin
- DT Cam Thomas
- DB Cortez Allen
- OLB Anthony Chickillo
- LB L.J. Fort
- DT Daniel McCullers
Bonus: special teams
- K Chris Boswell (29/32) — 2015 was his first year with the Steelers. He’s still on the Pittsburgh roster, and one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history. Appeared on Ben Roethlisberger’s podcast less than a year ago.
- P Jordan Berry (59 punts, 42.6-yard average) — 2015 was also his first year as a Steeler. The Aussie last played in 2021 for the Vikings but spent a week on the Steelers practice squad in 2022. He’s been out of the spotlight since, but still posts occasionally on Instagram.
- LS Greg Warren (16 starts) — last played in 2016; released in 2017. Spent entire NFL career with Steelers. Per a 2021 interview with Steelers Takeaways, he’s an investor and part-time worker at his brother-in-law’s physical therapy clinic.