Pittsburgh Steelers star defensive lineman Cam Heyward recently found himself in the middle of a media frenzy over comments he made regarding the possibility of Aaron Rodgers joining the team.
During an episode of his Not Just Football podcast, Heyward was asked to make a pitch to Rodgers, and his response was refreshingly blunt.
“Either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don’t,” Heyward said. “That’s simple, that’s the pitch. If you want me to recruit, that’s the recruiting pitch. If you want to be here, great. If not, no skin off my back.”
His direct approach made waves, with some interpreting it as dismissive or even disrespectful toward Rodgers. However, Heyward later clarified his comments during an appearance on Good Morning Football, emphasizing that he wasn’t taking a shot at Rodgers—he was just answering the question honestly.
“Yeah, it was misconstrued,” Heyward explained. “I was asked if I’d go to a darkness retreat to recruit Rodgers, and I said, ‘I’m not doing that.’ My pitch was simple—if he wants to be here, great. If not, that’s his decision. I have nothing against Rodgers, and it would be awesome to have a guy like him on the team, but ultimately, it’s up to him.”
Despite his clarification, not everyone was buying it. Sports commentator Skip Bayless took to social media to accuse Heyward of backtracking, arguing that the Steelers are now so desperate for Rodgers that they have no choice but to wait for his decision.
“Amused by Cam (Heyward’s) backtrack on Aaron Rodgers. He realized exactly what I said on my show — that it has come to this for the Pittsburgh Steelers … they now desperately need what’s left of Aaron Rodgers. It’s looking like that or Mason Rudolph,” Bayless wrote on X.
Heyward wasn’t having it. He clapped back at Bayless, not only for twisting his words but also for failing to tag him in the post and, hilariously, for misspelling his name.
At the end of the day, it’s understandable why Heyward—and plenty of Steelers fans—are frustrated with the endless Rodgers speculation. But while Heyward’s words may have been taken out of context, one thing is clear: Skip Bayless will always find a way to turn the smallest comment into a full-blown controversy if it keeps the cameras rolling.
