The Pittsburgh Steelers have continued to express interest in veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
While the Minnesota Vikings aren’t entirely out of the running for the four-time MVP, they made sure to reaffirm their expectation that J.J. McCarthy will be their starting quarterback next season.
With Rodgers’ most realistic options down to Pittsburgh and the New York Giants, Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward has made it clear that he won’t be involved in any recruiting efforts to bring the future Hall of Famer to Pittsburgh.
On a recent episode of his Not Just Football podcast, Heyward expressed his stance on the situation, emphasizing that the Steelers’ appeal speaks for itself.
“I ain’t doing that darkness retreat. I don’t need any of that crap,” Heyward said. “Either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don’t. That’s simple, that’s the pitch.
“If you want me to recruit, that’s the recruiting pitch. Pittsburgh Steelers – if you want to be part of it, so be it. If you don’t, no skin off my back.”
Heyward also voiced his frustration with the ongoing quarterback discussions, saying he’s ready to move on from the constant chatter.
“[I’m] tired of talking about the quarterback situation,” Heyward added. “[I’m] ready to move on from free agency.”
Prior to today’s revelation that the Vikings may be out of the running for Rodgers (by choice), the Steelers are now considered the firm favorites to land the polarizing QB.
However, there’s speculation that Rodgers may choose to retire instead of joining either the Steelers or Giants. (Although that’s hard to imagine happening.)
In terms of team strategy, signing Rodgers wouldn’t impact the Steelers’ compensatory picks, since he was released by the New York Jets this offseason.
Rodgers, now 41, was originally selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers. In 2018, he signed a four-year, $134 million contract extension, which included more than $100 million in guarantees.
The Packers later traded him to the Jets, where he played just four snaps in 2023 before suffering an Achilles injury in Week 1.
He returned as the Jets’ starting quarterback for the 2024 season, where he played all 17 games, completing 63% of his passes for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
After last season concluded, the Jets decided to officially move on from the disastrous Rodgers-era as they released him with a June 1 designation.
Now, as the 2025 season approaches, the future of the veteran quarterback remains up in the air as the Steelers and Giants wait for his decision.
As for the beloved Heyward, you have to admire and respect his refreshing stance.
Heyward is not interested in any off-field nonsense with Rodgers. He’s sick of the constant drama and he sure as hell has no interest in putting together a desperate recruiting pitch.
As Heyward bluntly stated, Rodgers either wants to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or he doesn’t …. It’s that simple.
What are your thoughts on Heyward’s comments? … At the end of the day, where do YOU think Rodgers will end up???
