Aaron Rodgers is bringing his MVP pedigree to Pittsburgh, and the Steelers are buzzing with excitement. Fresh off signing a team-friendly deal just before the weekend, the 41-year-old quarterback hit the ground running, joining longtime Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward at his “Irons for Impact” golf outing on Monday. On the latest episode of Heyward’s Not Just Football podcast, he and tight end Pat Freiermuth couldn’t hide their enthusiasm about having a four-time MVP under center for 2025. “Dude’s a great leader,” Heyward said, per Steelers Depot’s Josh Carney. “Very approachable, and he’s just excited to get down to business.” For a team that’s been searching for stability at quarterback, Rodgers’ arrival feels like a jolt of electricity.
The road to Rodgers landing in Pittsburgh wasn’t without its drama. Back in March, Heyward made waves with a blunt pitch to Rodgers: “Either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don’t.” Some took it as a challenge, but Heyward later clarified his words were misconstrued. Even as Rodgers stayed unsigned through Pittsburgh’s voluntary workouts, the locker room seemed confident he’d join the fold. Offensive tackle Broderick Jones brushed off concerns about missing early chemistry-building time, hinting the team knew it was only a matter of time. Heyward even did his homework, chatting with Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams, who raved about Rodgers as a teammate. “Q spoke so highly of him, said he was a great guy to play with,” Heyward shared, noting Williams was bummed Rodgers wouldn’t return to New York.
Despite some whispers about rocky relationships—like reported tension with Jets receiver Garrett Wilson—Rodgers is winning over his new teammates. Freiermuth, who’s been hearing glowing reviews from around the league, is already sold. “He’s a great guy to share a locker room with,” the tight end said, and film study has him believing Rodgers can still sling it. “He’s still got some arm strength, and he’s an unbelievable quarterback.” Sure, Rodgers went 5-12 with the Jets last season, and that torn Achilles from 2023 raised questions about what’s left in the tank. But as Pittsburgh kicks off mandatory minicamp this week, the vibe is clear: Rodgers is here to prove he’s still got it, and the Steelers are ready to ride with him. Check the sports card above for a peek at his career stats and what he’s bringing to the Steel City.
