As Aaron Rodgers gets closer to signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers, defensive lineman Cam Heyward cleared the air about his comments on the four-time NFL MVP. Heyward seemed frustrated with Rodgers making the team wait, saying he wasn’t interested in chasing after a player who didn’t seem sure what he wanted.
Cam Heyward Says He’s Not Against Rodgers Joining Steelers
Rodgers has reportedly had what amounts to a standing offer from the Steelers for more than a week but has been holding out while waiting for the Minnesota Vikings to make a decision. That delay led one analyst to say Rodgers was “holding the Steelers hostage,” and Heyward also seemed unhappy with the situation.
“I ain’t doing that darkness retreat. I don’t need any of that crap,” he said on his podcast, “Not Just Football.”
“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.”
But Heyward later clarified his stance during an appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show,” saying he isn’t against Rodgers coming to Pittsburgh at all.
“I just said I am not gonna go on a darkness retreat to recruit him, that if he wants to be a Steeler, he can be a Steeler — that’s the pitch! I don’t know why everybody thought, ‘Oh, Cam’s really going at him.’ Some fans said, ‘Yeah, keep doing that,’ and others were like, ‘Man, you’re gonna scare him off.’ I’m not scaring anybody off. I just want to win games and play good football.”
Cam Heyward on the @RichEisenShow talking about his recent Aaron Rodger comments. #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/mQxTcuvDNm
— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) March 22, 2025
It’s worth noting that Heyward’s comments came after Rodgers visited the Steelers. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the meeting lasted six hours and was positive, but said “no deal is close.”
It’s unclear if the Steelers have laid out specific conditions Rodgers would need to meet — or if he’s even willing to meet them. The New York Jets, who previously showed interest in bringing Rodgers back in 2025, reportedly backed off after giving him an ultimatum about his media involvement.
Pittsburgh already has its share of big personalities, including DK Metcalf, George Pickens, and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. That’s led to questions about whether Rodgers, who’s had his share of media attention, would be a good fit. Then again, the Philadelphia Eagles just won the Super Bowl in February despite plenty of sideline drama.
Rodgers’ resume speaks for itself. After a Hall of Fame run in Green Bay, he bounced back with a strong 2024 season following an Achilles injury that cost him all of 2023. And for the Steelers, the pressure is on — they don’t have a top draft pick to fall back on if Rodgers walks.