Cam Heyward received backlash after calling out Aaron Rodgers for stalling the Pittsburgh Steelers

Cam Heyward clarified his Aaron Rodgers comments, saying he just wants to focus on football and not on the Steelers' quarterback pursuit.

Cam Heyward received backlash after calling out Aaron Rodgers for stalling the Pittsburgh Steelers

Cam Heyward and Aaron Rodgers (Image via IMAGO)

Adam Schefter isn’t the only one to get frustrated with Aaron Rodgers playing tag with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Star defensive tackle Cameron ‘Cam’ Heyward also went off against the 4x NFL MVP.

Earlier this week, Heyward, on his Not Just Football podcast, called out Rodgers for not making up his mind about whether he wanted to join the Steelers or not.

YouTube video

I’m not doing that darkness retreat. 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 me to recruit, that’s the recruiting pitch. [Join the] Pittsburgh Steelers… If you want to be part of it, so be it. If you don’t, no skin off my back.

Cam Heyward said

A section of the Steelers fans wasn’t too happy with Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan pursuing an aging Rodgers over other quarterbacks. After Heyward’s statement, they found an onus to create pressure on the brass to sign someone who isn’t Aaron Rodgers.

It also generated the perception that Heyward isn’t a fan of the Super Bowl-winning quarterback.

Everybody gave me crap. They said I called him out.

Cam Heyward said on the Rich Eisen Show

Fans misunderstood Cam Heyward’s statement on Aaron Rodgers

Heyward claimed he wasn’t trying to call out Rodgers. He was only telling him to quickly choose a team because the quarterback isn’t the only position of importance for the Steelers.

I don’t think I really called him out. I just said I wasn’t going on a darkness retreat to recruit him.

Cam Heyward told Eisen
Cam Heyward received backlash after calling out Aaron Rodgers for stalling the Pittsburgh Steelers
Cameron Heyward (Image via IMAGO)

Social media misinterpreted his words.

Some fans felt, ‘Oh yeah, keep doing that,’ and the other fans felt like, ‘Oh man, you’re really gonna scare him off.’ I’m not scaring anybody off.

Cam Heyward said

Rodgers visited the Steelers facility on Friday. He spoke with Tomlin and Khan for hours before Pittsburgh Post Gazette‘s Gerry Dulac reported that the 41-year-old left without signing a contract.

Heyward said it’s not uncommon for players to leave without signing a contract.

Rodgers stalling the Steelers isn’t about money

Following his failed two-year spell with the New York Jets, the Super Bowl winner entered free agency for the first time. He was the top free agent available even after recovering from a torn ACL.

Besides the Steelers, the New York Giants and the Minnesota Vikings showed interest in Rodgers. The Vikings pivoted to speaking with Ryan Tannehill, and the Giants signed Jameis Winston, leaving the Steelers as the favored destination.

Initially, analysts and insiders speculated that Rodgers is making the Steelers wait because of monetary issues. However, sources close to Rodgers told Dulac it wasn’t. Rather, it’s the duration of the contract.

Two things are certain: No matter which option they [Steelers] choose, they will not give any quarterback they bring in anything more than a one-year contract. That is what the Steelers are offering Rodgers. Sources said the delay in the Steelers’ discussions with Rodgers was not about money.

Gerry Dulac revealed in an article

Rodgers reportedly asked for a salary similar to Sam Darnold’s $33 million/year salary with the Seattle Seahawks for two years, but the Steelers only offered a one-year deal.

Steelers can draft a quarterback

Heyward is tired of the waiting game, he told Eisen. At least the Steelers re-signed Mason Rudolph, who spent the last year with the Tennessee Titans. Rudolph is familiar with the system; he just needs to strike a connection with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. If the Steelers fail to bring Rodgers in, then Rudolph might end up being the starter in 2025.

Khan’s focus should switch to the draft and take a rookie. Former Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart’s name has been linked several times in the past couple of weeks. Dart’s draft stock rose quickly after his heroics for the Rebels in the Bowl game. He is projected to be a high second-round or a late first-round pick.

One way the Steelers can draft Dart is by trading up because they no longer have a second-round pick (traded to the Seahawks for DK Metcalf). Their best bet is to take him in the first round or hope that he falls to the third.

Related: Najee Harris takes a jibe at former Steelers teammate Justin Fields after signing with the Chargers: “Didn’t know anything”