Steelers' Cameron Heyward clarifies comments on Aaron Rodgers
Wed Mar 26 12:03pm ET
Field Level Media
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward said his words were "misconstrued" when he initially addressed the notion of quarterback Aaron Rodgers joining his team.
Speaking on NFL Network's "Good Morning Football," Heyward said on he was answering a specific question on his podcast as to whether he'd chase the four-time NVP into a darkness retreat in order to get him to play for the Steelers.
"Either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler, or you don't. It's that simple. That's the pitch," Heyward said at the time.
Heyward elected to clarify his stance on Wednesday, five days after Rodgers visited the Steelers.
"Yes, it was misconstrued. 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,' " Heyward said. "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. I think he's got to make those decisions for himself."
The free-agent quarterback landscape has changed, with the New York Giants signing both Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston and the Minnesota Vikings reportedly content on going forward with J.J. McCarthy -- narrowing the teams that could have a spot for Rodgers. The 10th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. McCarthy missed the entire season following surgery to repair his torn right meniscus.
"I have not had any communication with (Rodgers)," Heyward 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. You know, we haven't had the success we want, but the goal is still in mind to raise a Lombardi and bring that seventh one to Pittsburgh. We don't really care about the glitz and glam of New York, but the focus is on good hard football, competing every day, challenging each other, trying to go from there."
The New York Jets released Rodgers on March 12, making him a free agent for the first time in his career.
The only quarterbacks on the Steelers' current roster are Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson.
Rodgers, 41, passed for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2024, returning from a season-ending Achilles injury suffered in his first game with the Jets in September 2023.
The 10-time Pro Bowl selection and four-time NFL Most Valuable Player ranks fifth in league history in touchdown passes (503) and seventh in passing yards (62,952).
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From RotoBaller
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From RotoBaller
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From RotoBaller
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From RotoBaller
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From RotoBaller
Dynasty | Former 49ers and Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance has been added to the Saskatchewan Roughriders negotiation list. Dynasty Analysis: He hasn't signed with the CFL as of yet, but this is the latest sign Lance is receiving little to no interest at all by NFL teams. The latest example of team drafting potential over production only to see it go horribly wrong, Lance is seemingly looking outside the league in an attempt to rejuvenate his career. At this point, he's nowhere close to being worthy of an NFL roster spot after flaming out in San Francisco and showing next to nothing in Dallas as well.
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Free-agent QB Aaron Rodgers (Jets) will likely play with the Pittsburgh Steelers if he decides to play in 2025, in the opinion of NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport.
Fantasy Spin: Rodgers is a QB2 in fantasy and will really have to find a way to rekindle some mobility in the pocket two years from a torn Achilles in order to be worthwhile in drafts.
From TheHuddle
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From RotoBaller
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From RotoBaller
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Free-agent WR Stefon Diggs (Texans) agreed to terms on a three-year contract with the New England Patriots Tuesday, March 25, worth $69 million, according to sources. The deal includes $26 million in guaranteed money.
Fantasy Spin: Diggs is recovering from a serious knee injury but seems to have a good chance to be ready for the start of the 2025 season. He will be the main option in the passing game for the Patriots and probably will be at least a No. 3 receiver in most fantasy leagues.
From TheHuddle
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Fantasy Spin: Wilson appears to be on track to start for the Giants based on the money he will be receiving. He had some success with the Steelers last season but did struggle at the end of the season. He can be a No. 2 quarterback in fantasy leagues next season if he starts for the Giants.
From TheHuddle
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From RotoBaller
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From RotoBaller
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From RotoBaller
Former Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart is one of the top signal-caller prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft class. It has been assumed for much of the pre-draft process that Miami's Cam Ward and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders will be first-round picks, but momentum is building for Dart to be the third quarterback selected inside Round 1. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. projects Dart to be selected by the New Orleans Saints with the No. 9 overall pick, and DraftKings Sportsbook's current line for over 2.5 quarterbacks in Round 1 is set at -330. Dart began his college career at USC before transferring to Ole Miss ahead of the 2022 campaign. The three-year SEC starter compiled a 28-10 record behind 72 passing touchdowns and 22 interceptions. Potential QB-needy teams set to pick outside the top five include the Saints, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Indianapolis Colts.
From RotoBaller
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From TheHuddle
