The Pittsburgh Steelers patiently waited last offseason as QB Aaron Rodgers took his time before eventually signing with the team. This offseason feels quite similar to last offseason as the Steelers wait and see if Rodgers will return.
During last year’s waiting period, DT Cam Heyward had some choice words for the Steelers’ eventual quarterback. Does Heyward feel the same this time around?
“I don’t wanna say the same thing,” Heyward said Friday on The Rich Eisen Show. “He’s worn the Black and Gold. Just return, baby. That’s all we need. I think he had a fun time being a part of this crew, and we really enjoyed his company. I’d like to be able to run it back with him.”
This isn’t the first time Cam Heyward has said he wants Aaron Rodgers back in Pittsburgh. Despite the initial comments last offseason, Heyward and Rodgers have said nothing but good things about each other. Perhaps Heyward feels like Rodgers at quarterback is his best chance for winning in the playoffs and chasing that elusive Super Bowl win.
As for Aaron Rodgers himself, he also enjoyed being with the Steelers in 2025. It certainly seems like he’s open to coming back for another rodeo in Pittsburgh. No one is quite sure why it hasn’t happened yet, but most would agree that it seems likely to happen. The Steelers certainly need to add quarterbacks this offseason as they only have Mason Rudolph and Will Howard under contract.
The path forward is quite clear if Aaron Rodgers returns: He will start while head coach Mike McCarthy begins his work with Will Howard (or another mid-round quarterback). Things are much murkier if Rodgers doesn’t return. Would Rudolph start? Or would McCarthy prove his love for Howard is genuine by getting him ready to start in September?
What is certain is that Cam Heyward wants Aaron Rodgers back in the fold for 2026. Could Rodgers get the Steelers back to the postseason and even engineer a win? It certainly seems like Heyward believes the answer is yes. Why else would he want him back?