Heyward clears up Rodgers stance: 'Would be really cool' if Steelers get QB
Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward clarified his stance on Pittsburgh recruiting Aaron Rodgers, saying he'd welcome the free-agent quarterback.
Heyward previously said, "Either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don't," when asked if he would join Rodgers for a darkness retreat to help recruit him. He also bemoaned the extensive coverage surrounding the team's prolonged quarterback search.
"Yes, it was misconstrued," Heyward said Wednesday on "Good Morning Football," according to NFL.com's Kevin Patra. "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. I think he's got to make those decisions for himself."
Rodgers, 41, is contemplating his NFL future after two disappointing seasons with the New York Jets. He reportedly met with Steelers officials at the team's facility last week but left without an agreement.
"I have not had any communication with him. I was actually with some strength coaches that day he was in the building," Heyward said, later adding, "But what I would say to him? I would just say 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 (Trophy) 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 Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants - the other reported suitors for Rodgers alongside Pittsburgh - have seemingly dropped out of pursuing the four-time MVP. Minnesota is reportedly moving forward with J.J. McCarthy as its QB1, while New York signed former Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson after adding Jameis Winston.
Pittsburgh has lost both starting quarterbacks from last season, with Justin Fields leaving as a free agent to sign with the Jets. The Steelers' only quarterback move thus far has been bringing back Mason Rudolph on a two-year deal.