Cam Heyward on the Rodgers Waiting Game

Cam Heyward joins to promote his draft party at Tequila Cowboy in Pittsburgh on April 23rd, and Rich uses the platform to dig into every angle of the Steelers' quarterback situation.

Heyward's guest list for the Not Just Football podcast at the party reads like a reunion: Aaron Smith, Brett Kiesel, Casey Hampton, Aaron Donald, Pat Freiermuth, Will Howard, Jack Sawyer, Darren Waller, JC Tretter. There is, however, a notable missing Aaron. Rich points it out immediately. Heyward, without breaking character, says there is always a spot open for Aaron Rodgers.

On Rodgers specifically, Heyward is direct. He wore the black and gold last year. Just return, baby. Heyward describes Rodgers as a breath of fresh air, a guy who was accountable, held others accountable, and studied like few players he had ever been around. He compares that preparation level only to Ben Roethlisberger.

Heyward makes a case for Will Howard too. Rodgers was a Howard fan throughout the season. If the Steelers do end up leaning on Howard, surround him. Don't spend the 21st pick on another quarterback. Get him weapons. Give him DK Metcalf, Pat Freiermuth, and now Isaac Pitman to work with.

On Mike McCarthy, Heyward goes full Yinzer. McCarthy understands Pittsburgh, understands team building, and is not trying to be Mike Tomlin. He is trying to be Mike McCarthy, and Heyward believes that will pay off.

The Will Anderson extension news breaks mid-interview. Three years, $15 million per year, $134 million guaranteed. Heyward correctly guesses the number, then gives Houston credit for building a real edge tandem with Anderson and Danielle Hunter.

Chris Brockman floats a wild take about Houston possibly moving off CJ Stroud rather than paying him. Heyward shuts it down hard. If you don't have a quarterback in this league, you are fighting uphill forever. Stroud has made the playoffs three straight years and won a playoff game. You don't restart that.

The interview detours through Celebrity Wheel of Fortune stories, James Earl Jones as a measuring stick for presence, and a long thread about Aaron Donald catching knives by the handle in workouts because his trainer was sharpening his hands.

Rich closes with the only question left: will we see Mike Tomlin at the draft? Heyward says no. Tomlin is on a beach, visiting other coaches, watching his daughter Harley compete. The weight is off his shoulders for now.