As the Pittsburgh Steelers continue their search for a quarterback ahead of the 2025 season, veteran defensive leader Cam Heyward had a blunt message for free agent Aaron Rodgers.
During an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Heyward addressed recent comments he made on his Not Just Football podcast regarding the possibility of Rodgers joining the Steelers.
The four-time MVP visited Pittsburgh’s facility on Friday in what was described as a “positive” six-hour meeting, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Despite the buzz surrounding Rodgers’ potential arrival, Heyward made it clear he isn’t going out of his way to lure him in.
Most Pittsburgh fans applauded Heyward’s “take it or leave it” stance. However, there are some who believe he could have hurt the Steelers’ chances at landing Rodgers with those comments.
“Everybody gave me crap,” Heyward admitted. They said I called him [Aaron Rodgers] out. I don’t think I really called him out. I just said I wasn’t going to go on a darkness retreat to recruit him. If he wants to be a Steeler, he can be a Steeler. That’s the pitch – I just want to win games and play good football.”
“Anybody who signs, I welcome to the team. I don’t have an ego and think like, ‘We can’t win with a guy.’ I get excited for our team. You bring a guy on like that – he’s got a good knowledge of the game, and I think he can only help,” Heyward added.
The respected veteran raised plenty of eyebrows last week when he dismissed any elaborate recruitment efforts to convince Rodgers to sign.
“I ain’t doing that darkness retreat,” Heyward said at the time. “Either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don’t.”
This offseason, the 41-year-old Rodgers has been linked to the Steelers, New York Giants – and to a lesser degree – the Minnesota Vikings.
Notably, Pittsburgh’s quarterback situation remains far from uncertain after a 10-7 season in which both Justin Fields and Russell Wilson saw time under center.
Fields has since signed with the Jets, while Wilson remains a free agent. The Steelers recently re-signed Mason Rudolph, but the position is still unsettled.
Rodgers is considered the top quarterback on the market after throwing for 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions with the Jets last season.
We all know the constant drama surrounding Rodgers turns off a lot of people. Some Steelers fans are hoping the team doesn’t sign the four-time MVP.
However, it’s hard to argue that a healthy, motivated Rodgers gives the Steelers the best chance to compete for a Super Bowl.
The question is: Did Heyward’s mini-backtrack come a little too late???
