When the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Aaron Rodgers, the media presented it as the organization having one shot to go on a run with the future Hall of Fame quarterback. Rodgers will turn 42 years old in December.
But Rodgers is playing at such a high level to begin the 2025 season, one of his previous biggest critics in Pittsburgh, Cameron Heyward, is already calling for the quarterback to return in 2026.
“Kudos to Aaron. Big respect there,” Heyward said on the latest episode of his Not Just Football podcast. “Dude needs to keep playing.
“That dude is one of a kind, and he should have a job as long as he wants. But I gotta make sure we take care of business this year.”
Rodgers didn’t play particularly well the past couple seasons. He spent the 2023 campaign injured, but he didn’t make the Pro Bowl in 2022 or 2024 either.
This season, though, Rodgers has completed 68.6% of his passes while averaging 7.4 yards per attempt. He also has 14 touchdowns and five interceptions.
At his current pace, and if he stays healthy, Rodgers will finish the 2025 season with nearly 3,600 passing yards and 40 touchdowns.
Could Aaron Rodgers Play for Steelers in 2026?
The Steelers appeared to be all-in on 2025 when they signed Rodgers to a one-year deal in June. It’s obviously still early in mock draft season, but a vast majority of pundits have projected the Steelers to draft their potential next franchise quarterback in 2026.
Heyward’s comments aren’t going to change the organization’s plan. But they illustrate how people in the organization could feel about Rodgers’ tenure in Pittsburgh.
If Rodgers continues to play well and leads the Steelers to playoff success, it would make sense for Pittsburgh to at least consider retaining the quarterback.
Heyward is one of several Steelers defenders older than 30. Heyward is the oldest at 36.
At some point soon, the Steelers are going to have to retool their defense. That might begin happening in 2026 if the organization drafts a new quarterback.
However, if the Steelers want to keep their older veteran players on defense in 2026, it would make more sense, on paper, to again have an experienced quarterback.
A few weeks after signing with the Steelers in June, Rodgers strongly suggested the 2025 season would be his last in the NFL.
But the quarterback has somewhat changed his tune. Pundits speculated that Rodgers is already thinking about 2026 with a remark he made after the team’s victory in Dublin, Ireland.
Heyward Giving Props to Rodgers After Offseason Controversy
Heyward’s message to Rodgers to keep playing is most notable because he’s been one of the Steelers captains for years. But it’s also significant because of what transpired between the two stars over the summer.
On his podcast in March, Heyward criticized Rodgers’ approach to NFL 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. “That’s 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.”
The reference to the “darkness retreat” was a shot at a trip Rodgers took in February 2023 for self reflection. The retreat led to Rodgers deciding to accept a trade to the New York Jets.
On August 19, Heyward had the quarterback on his show as a guest. The defensive lineman apologized for his previous remarks.
This week, Heyward could have apologized to Rodgers on behalf of the Steelers defense in Week 7. However, things can change quickly in the NFL.
It will be interesting to see if Rodgers can continue his early season pace. If he can, more players are likely to advocate for the quarterback returning.
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