The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to wait for quarterback Aaron Rodgers to make a decision on playing in the 2026 NFL season. With Rodgers, patience has run out for a lot of pundits and fans. But that’s not the case with Cameron Heyward.
On his latest podcast episode, the All-Pro defensive lineman tried to express a calmness regarding the Rodgers situation.
“Bro, chill out. He’ll get there when he gets there,” Heyward told co-host Hayden Walsh on the Not Just Football podcast. “It’s the middle of [spring]. If anyone knows the system better than anybody, it’s Aaron.
“He’s not a big proponent into having this long training. I think he trains well on his own. He knows what his body needs at this point.”
93.7 The Fan reported on May 7 that Rodgers planned to visit the Steelers to sign a new deal last weekend. A meeting, though, didn’t happen.
Rodgers continues to be silent in NFL free agency.
Cameron Heyward Tries to Present Calm Front on Aaron Rodgers Situation
The All-Pro defensive lineman has taken a completely different approach with Rodgers’s free agency this offseason.
Last year, Heyward was critical of Rodgers prolonging his free agency.
“I ain’t doing that darkness retreat. I don’t need any of that crap. Either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don’t,” said Heyward on his podcast in March 2025. “That’s simple, that’s the pitch.”
Those comments led to a bit of an awkward interview between Heyward and Rodgers last August. In the interview, Heyward apologized to Rodgers for those remarks.
Now a season after being his teammate, Heyward has been nothing but positive when speaking out about Rodgers this offseason.
“He’s worn the black and gold,” Heyward said on NFL Network’s The Rich Eisen Show on April 17. “Just return, baby. That’s all we need.”
Heyward does have a point. When the regular season arrives, it won’t have matter if Rodgers signed his contract in April, May or June.
Last year, he signed on June 5. No pundit argued the Steelers would have won more games if he committed in April.
Still, the Rodgers uncertainty is driving fans wild this offseason.
Latest Steelers-Rodgers Update
Despite reports, the second weekend of May came and went without Rodgers agreeing to play for the Steelers in 2026. But ESPN’s Brooke Pryor reported another key date could be quickly approaching.
“I think the next date that we should have circled on our calendars is May 18,” ESPN’s Brooke Pryor reported during SportsCenter on May 11, via Bleacher Report’s Timothy Rapp. “That is the start of the Steelers next phase of organized team activities. I believe that’s the date the Steelers have circled.”
It would make a lot of sense for Rodgers to rejoin the team at the start of offseason workouts. But that’s just two days away. There’s been no concrete update that Rodgers may sign his contract so soon.
The Steelers will have more offseason workouts after Memorial Day weekend. The team has its mandatory minicamp scheduled for June 2-4.
It would make even more sense if Rodgers is with the team for those required workouts.
Rodgers will turn 43 years old in December. If he signs with the Steelers, he will be returning for his 22nd NFL season.
Cameron Heyward Reacts to Steelers Free Agency Wait for QB Aaron Rodgers