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NFL fans call out Steelers star’s blatant ‘hypocrisy’ over shocking Aaron Rodgers U-turn
Cam Heyward’s initial pitch to Aaron Rodgers was simple: ‘You either you want to be a Steeler, or you don’t.’ The defensive tackle, who has spent his entire NFL career in Pittsburgh, was asked earlier this month about what he would say to the veteran quarterback to convince him to join. Heyward initially appeared less than enthusiastic about Rodgers signing with the SteelersGetty His message, though, sounded less-than-enthusiastic. “I ain’t doing that darkness retreat,” Heyward said on March 18. “I don’t need any of that c***. Either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don’t. It’s that 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.” Less than 10 days on, and the tone has shifted. The Steelers are still without a big-name quarterback. Rodgers is still without a team. Russell Wilson, who helped lead Pittsburgh to the playoffs in 2024, has landed with the New York Giants. His backup, Justin Fields, has moved to the New York Jets. Only Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson – who have started 21 games between them – remain in Pittsburgh’s quarterback room. Beyond next month’s draft, Rodgers is perhaps the only big name available to join them – a prospect that now sounds more appealing to Heyward. Pittsburgh is the most likely landing spot for Rodgers after other free agency movesGetty The 14-year NFL veteran has clarified his stance on having the four-time MVP under-center with the Steelers, suggesting it would be ‘really cool’ if the quarterback signs. “It was misconstrued,” Heyward said of his initial comments. “From my point of view, I was asked the question of, ‘Would you go to the lengths of going to a darkness retreat to recruit Aaron Rodgers?’ I said, ‘I’m not doing that.’ “The pitch is: If you wanna be a Steeler, be a Steeler. It wasn’t meant that I don’t like Rodgers or I’m against it. “I think when I look at our team right now, it would be really cool to have a guy like Aaron Rodgers, but I can’t be the guy who gets it over the finish line. “He’s got to make those decisions for himself.” Rodgers will replace Wilson in Pittsburgh if a deal can be agreedGetty View Tweet: https://t.co/a380sVqKrD Rodgers visited the Steelers last week, spending six hours with head coach Mike Tomlin, general manager Omar Khan, team owner and president Art Rooney II and other coaches. But he is yet to sign a deal – and Heyward confirmed the pair did not cross paths when the QB was visiting. “I have not had any communication with him,” the 35-year-old said. “I was actually with some strength coaches that day he was in the building. I think they were trying to get everybody out of the building so they could just have a conversation with him. “But what I would say to him? I would just say, you know, if you come to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the goal is to win.” While Heyward moved to clarify his comments on Rodgers, some fans have accused him of making a hypocritical U-turn now circumstances have changed. “Lmaoooooo. He was talking all big about not needing him and his darkness retreats,” one person said, responding to Heyward’s latest comments. “Someone had a talk with him,” another fan suggested. “If he backtracks any faster, he’ll go right through that wall,” a third joked. “What a 180 this is from his first message,” a fourth concluded. “Cam was called out for his hypocrisy and now he’s walking it back,” a fifth added. With the Giants bringing in both Jameis Winston and Wilson in the past week, and the Minnesota Vikings making it known that they’re not currently chasing the former Jets QB, Pittsburgh seems to be the only landing spot for Rodgers. But he doesn’t appear to be in any hurry to make up his mind about the next step in his career, and he could decide to call it a day and retire instead. Rodgers could decide to step away from the NFL if he can’t reach an agreement with the Steelers The Steelers, though, don’t have the luxury of time. If Rodgers continues to drag his decision out, there will be fewer and fewer options available, and the team may need to figure out a contingency plan heading into the draft. Stay up to date with the latest from across the NFL via our talkSPORT Facebook page, and subscribe to our Endzone YouTube channel for news, views and exclusive interviews as we build up to the NFL Draft.
Cam Heyward’s initial pitch to Aaron Rodgers was simple: ‘You either you want to be a Steeler, or you don’t.’
The defensive tackle, who has spent his entire NFL career in Pittsburgh, was asked earlier this month about what he would say to the veteran quarterback to convince him to join.
His message, though, sounded less-than-enthusiastic.
“I ain’t doing that darkness retreat,” Heyward said on March 18.
“I don’t need any of that c***. Either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don’t. It’s that 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.”
Less than 10 days on, and the tone has shifted.
The Steelers are still without a big-name quarterback. Rodgers is still without a team.
Russell Wilson, who helped lead Pittsburgh to the playoffs in 2024, has landed with the New York Giants.
His backup, Justin Fields, has moved to the New York Jets.
Only Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson – who have started 21 games between them – remain in Pittsburgh’s quarterback room.
Beyond next month’s draft, Rodgers is perhaps the only big name available to join them – a prospect that now sounds more appealing to Heyward.
The 14-year NFL veteran has clarified his stance on having the four-time MVP under-center with the Steelers, suggesting it would be ‘really cool’ if the quarterback signs.
“It was misconstrued,” Heyward said of his initial comments.
“From my point of view, I was asked the question of, ‘Would you go to the lengths of going to a darkness retreat to recruit Aaron Rodgers?’ I said, ‘I’m not doing that.’
“The pitch is: If you wanna be a Steeler, be a Steeler. It wasn’t meant that I don’t like Rodgers or I’m against it.
“I think when I look at our team right now, it would be really cool to have a guy like Aaron Rodgers, but I can’t be the guy who gets it over the finish line.
“He’s got to make those decisions for himself.”
Rodgers visited the Steelers last week, spending six hours with head coach Mike Tomlin, general manager Omar Khan, team owner and president Art Rooney II and other coaches.
But he is yet to sign a deal – and Heyward confirmed the pair did not cross paths when the QB was visiting.
“I have not had any communication with him,” the 35-year-old said.
“I was actually with some strength coaches that day he was in the building. I think they were trying to get everybody out of the building so they could just have a conversation with him.
“But what I would say to him? I would just say, you know, if you come to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the goal is to win.”
While Heyward moved to clarify his comments on Rodgers, some fans have accused him of making a hypocritical U-turn now circumstances have changed.
“Lmaoooooo. He was talking all big about not needing him and his darkness retreats,” one person said, responding to Heyward’s latest comments.
“Someone had a talk with him,” another fan suggested.
“If he backtracks any faster, he’ll go right through that wall,” a third joked.
“What a 180 this is from his first message,” a fourth concluded.
“Cam was called out for his hypocrisy and now he’s walking it back,” a fifth added.
With the Giants bringing in both Jameis Winston and Wilson in the past week, and the Minnesota Vikings making it known that they’re not currently chasing the former Jets QB, Pittsburgh seems to be the only landing spot for Rodgers.
But he doesn’t appear to be in any hurry to make up his mind about the next step in his career, and he could decide to call it a day and retire instead.
The Steelers, though, don’t have the luxury of time.
If Rodgers continues to drag his decision out, there will be fewer and fewer options available, and the team may need to figure out a contingency plan heading into the draft.
Stay up to date with the latest from across the NFL via our talkSPORT Facebook page, and subscribe to our Endzone YouTube channel for news, views and exclusive interviews as we build up to the NFL Draft.
