Steelers' Pursuit Of Aaron Rodgers Has Cam Heyward Vocal While "Art [Rooney II] Is Trusting Mike Tomlin To Get This Done"

The Pittsburgh Steelers are still waiting on quarterback Aaron Rodgers after reports indicate the Minnesota Vikings have no plans to pursue the four-time MVP. The topic of Rodgers coming to Pittsburgh has been a polarizing one. Half the fan base is excited to have someone new under center, especially someone of his pedigree. The other half is concerned about his age and the chaos that seems to follow Rodgers everywhere he goes.

Rodgers is taking his time coming to a decision, and just because the Vikings are out, doesn't mean he will make his choice any sooner. The delay has many frustrated, saying they feel he is holding the team hostage. Meanwhile, everyone is speculating on what kind of deal Pittsburgh might have offered him and how long they will be willing to wait. 

Longtime Steelers reporter Ray Fittipaldo joined The Fan Morning Show on 93.7 The Fan and was asked about some comments made by fellow Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter Gerry Dulac. Show co-host Adam Crowley said, in his opinion, Dulac indicated that the decision to wait on Rodgers is coming strictly from Head Coach Mike Tomlin. Fittipaldo agreed, but added that if Art Rooney II felt this had gone on too long or were a mistake, he would "put an end to it really quick." However, Fittipaldo indicated he was more surprised to hear a Steelers player finally speak up about being made to wait.  

"I thought it was interesting that Cam Heyward came out and said what he said," said Fittipaldo about the team waiting on Rodgers. "He was really the first person in the Steelers organization to kind of voice, 'Hey, we're the Steelers. We're not gonna sit around and wait for you.' Nobody in the front office has done that yet, but for the most part, I agree; I think this is largely a Mike Tomlin thing and I think Art is trusting Mike Tomlin to get this done."

On a recent episode of his podcast, Cameron Heyward was asked about the quarterback situation by his co-host Hayden Walsh. Heyward said he would never tell another person how to conduct their business or what to do with their career, but added that the only sales pitch needed was, "We're the Pittsburgh Steelers." He said potential players need to take it or leave it; either way, it is no sweat off his back.

Heyward is the first player to voice the irritation some fans have expressed. The consensus is that waiting on a quarterback keeps the Steelers from making other big free agency moves. They made a blockbuster trade for wide receiver DK Metcalf, but most other acquisitions have been depth pieces. With so many needs still left on the team, fans are getting antsy. 

The Steelers Are Running Out Of Options

The Steelers haven't quite put all their eggs in the Rodgers basket, but they certainly seem to have the majority of them in there. If the deal they offered Rodgers isn't accepted, then they will be short on options. 

Fittipaldo said if it doesn't happen, if Rodgers goes to the New York Giants or chooses to retire, they will have to fall back on Russell Wilson, who seems to be waiting on Pittsburgh. Wilson has said all along that he would like to stay and retire in the Steel City. The other option is the quarterback they just re-signed, Mason Rudolph. 

Rudolph was a longtime backup in Pittsburgh. He saved the 2023 campaign by winning out the remaining last three games of the regular season and helping the team clinch a Wild Card spot. At the end of that season, Rudolph became a free agent and was signed by the Tennessee Titans. Many believed that Rudolph was angry he was not offered a shot at the starting job in 2024. He was well-loved in the Steelers locker room, and many are cheering for him to be successful in 2025. 

Were you surprised that Heyward spoke up? Tell us what you think below! 

#SteelerNation