Pelissero: Frustrated Steelers Players Echo Cam Heyward’s Concerns Over Lingering Quarterback Position

The Pittsburgh Steelers are still stuck in quarterback purgatory. This time, however, it's full of rumors and speculation about who is wearing black and gold, as opposed to previous years, where everyone at least knew who would be on the roster. In recent seasons, the depth chart was the only "quarterback controversy," as opposed to wondering if Plan D will actually sign a contract or not. In this case, Aaron Rodgers can't hold out forever. Even if there is not a set deadline, the Steelers will have to move on from him at some point if he does not agree to terms.

While acting as a guest host on The Rich Eisen Show, insider Tom Pelissero brought up the Rodgers saga once again. He also brought up Cameron Heyward's comments about the situation and mentioned that he is not alone with his train of thought.

"'It's the Pittsburgh Steelers. Do you want to play here or do you not?' Cam Heyward, who then proceeded to try and walk that back several times, when he said: 'Hey, either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler, or you don't, I don't need to make more of a pitch than that,' that opinion, from everything I've been told, is not solely to Cam Heyward," explained Pelissero. "There are other people, certainly in the organization in the locker room, who are just going like, 'What are we doing? We're back for offseason workouts in 10 days. We're coming up on the draft. What is the plan?'"

There has normally been a clear and obvious plan that the team has bought into, whether it was riding with Mitch Trubisky in 2022 until the rookie Kenny Pickett was ready, or letting two quick acquisitions duke it out for the right to start in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields in 2024.

If Steelers players don't even know what the plan is, how can anyone else? Sitting back and hoping Rodgers makes a decision is not a good idea. It's affecting their pre-draft process as we speak. They missed out on a crucial Pro Day just so they could talk to Rodgers. Talking to a first-round prospect like Kenneth Grant seems more important than ignoring him for a 41-year-old free agent.

It's also affecting their Top 30 visits, as they are most likely putting more effort into the quarterback position now than if a deal was actually done already with Rodgers. General Manager Omar Khan even said that they use free agency to make the draft easier. Instead, Rodgers is making life harder on everyone in the building. Heyward is right: either Rodgers wants to play for Pittsburgh, or he does not. This constant wait-and-see game is insanely frustrating for both players of the team and fans. If he has no desire to be a Steeler, he needs to let them know so everyone can move on with their lives. 

Steelers' Best Plan At Quarterback

If Rodgers won't make up his mind, the Steelers should do it for him. They should tell him that they are no longer interested in signing him. However, the 2025 class is expected to be very weak in terms of passers. Even if they do draft one, Mason Rudolph should be the day-one starter, no matter what round they select a quarterback in.

Ideally, they would use a mid-round pick on a signal-caller, just so they have some consistency in the depth chart for the first time in years. The 2026 draft class is supposed to be better suited for quarterbacks, and the Steelers are projected to have 11 selections before a single trade is made. That would be the time to make a move for the future of the franchise.