Cam Heyward took to his podcast, “Not Just Football,” to address the Steelers’ current state of quarterback limbo.
While the Steelers’ only signed quarterbacks have been career backups Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson, questions about the future of Aaron Rodgers linger after the Steelers made an offer to the 41-year-old quarterback, who has yet to sign with any NFL team.
But Heyward, a four-time first-team All-Pro and team captain who’s been with the Steelers since 2011, appears to have grown tired of the waiting period for the Steelers and the rest of the NFL to hear a decision from Rodgers.
“I want to play football,” Heyward said on Tuesday’s episode of his show. “I’m tired of talking about the quarterback situation. I’d rather have it done. I don’t know what ends up happening. ... I’m ready to move on in free agency. There’s too much going on.”
When asked if he’d put any effort into recruiting Rodgers to the Steelers, Heyward indicated that’s something that shouldn’t be needed to make such a decision.
“I ain’t doing that darkness retreat,” Heyward said. “I don’t need any of that crap. ... Either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don’t. That’s simple. That’s the pitch. If you want to be part of it, so be it. If you don’t, no skin off my back.”
Rodgers was released by the Jets with a post-June 1 designation last Wednesday after two years with the organization. If he signs with a team this offseason, he will enter his 21st season in the NFL. The four-time NFL MVP quarterback reportedly could also join the Giants or the Vikings or consider retirement.
While Heyward respects Rodgers’ process to make the best decision for himself, he also thinks that doesn’t mean the Steelers should go out of their way to garner interest from the Super Bowl 45 champion.
“Everyone’s entitled to their opinion,” Heyward said of Rodgers. “You can take however long. ... When you start putting teams up against others, I don’t even like to get into that. That’s not my business. I will never tell a man what to do or how to do it. But if you want to be part of the group, be part of the group.”
Heyward also addressed the Steelers’ signing of Rudolph, whom he felt would be a positive return to the team’s locker room.
“He’s a guy for the locker room,” Heyward said of Rudolph. “A lot of guys vibe with him. To bring him back [to be] part of the group is special.”
Rudolph played as a backup for the Steelers from 2019-23 before he signed with the Titans in free agency last season. After he went 1-4 as a starter with nine touchdowns and nine interceptions, Rudolph signed a two-year contract with the Steelers as he prepares to turn 30 years old in July and enter his sixth season in the NFL.
During Rudolph’s last season with the Steelers, he started and won three consecutive games at the end of the 2023 season to help the team make the NFL playoffs with a 10-7 record. Heyward expressed confidence in Rudolph even if the Steelers don’t sign another quarterback.
“If we don’t sign a quarterback and we go into the year with Mason, I think we feel good about it,” Heyward said. “Excited to have him back.”
Heyward also addressed the Steelers’ two biggest additions — their trade with the Seahawks for receiver DK Metcalf and their signing of veteran cornerback Darius Slay Jr.
“That only elevates the room,” Heyward said of the Steelers’ trade for Metcalf. “Now you’ve got another big dude in there that likes combat catches, has breakaway speed. ... He’s a monster in the run game. He likes to block. He plays pissed off. I think we welcome that on the offensive side of the ball. I think he can lead the group and be responsible for winning some big games.”
Metcalf signed a five-year deal with the Steelers after the team traded away a second-round pick and a seventh-round pick in exchange for the two-time Pro Bowl receiver entering his seventh NFL season and a sixth-round pick.
Heyward also sees leadership qualities brought to the organization by Slay, who enters his 13th NFL season as a former All-Pro cornerback coming off his first Super Bowl win last season with the Eagles.
“I just think he brings a level of professionalism to the game and to the locker room,” Heyward said of Slay. “It’s underrated how smart he is and where he needs to be in position. I think he communicates really well, has a knack to make timely plays. Can be a factor in the run game, as well. When you add a guy like that, it doesn’t matter the age. I’m excited to have him.”
First Published: March 18, 2025, 5:40 p.m.
Updated: March 19, 2025, 1:06 p.m.
