Whether it's because of Cam Heyward's contract drama or his little brother's performance on the field, Pittsburgh Steelers fans want to see an upgrade over tight end Connor Heyward on the 53-man roster. But the latest comments from quarterback Aaron Rodgers ensure that this won't happen.
Rodgers recently joined the Not Just Football Podcast with Cam Heyward, where he spoke highly of several Steelers teammates... and his comments on Connor Heyward told us everything we needed to know.
The veteran quarterback discussed being a leader and giving 'a little bit more' while mentioning some players who could help the offense take off.
"I'm talking about guys like Jaylen Warren and Kenny [Gainwell]," Rodgers said on Not Just Football. "And your brother [Connor Heyward], who does everything right, you know, and cares about it so much..."
Rodgers went on to mention players like Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, and Broderick Jones, but his comments on Heyward are the ringing endorsement that confirms the tight end's status with the team.
Aaron Rodgers' comments suggest Connor Heyward will be part of the Pittsburgh Steelers' plans in 2025
Like it or not, Connor Heyward is here to stay (at least for another season). Aaron Rodgers didn't hold back on his thoughts of Cam's brother and the Pittsburgh Steelers' 2022 sixth-round draft pick.
This wasn't the first time Rodgers has spoken highly of Heyward, either, as the 41-year-old QB made mention of the backup tight end during training camp, talking about how he knows exactly what to do.
And if Rodgers is saying these things about the team's fourth tight end, you know he's not going anywhere.
When it comes to Heyward, there's not a ton of traits or upside to get excited about. The 26-year-old tight end is entering his fourth NFL season, and the improvements have been minimal over his first three seasons. At 5'11'' and 233 pounds, with below-average athletic traits, Heyward is undersized and doesn't offer the burst to make up for it.
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Despite his strong hands and reliable route-running from the tight end position, Heyward struggles to hold up at the point of attack, and he's proven that he can't be a true 'fullback' because of his pedestrian ability as a lead blocker.
These limitations didn't stop him from earning a glowing endorsement from the most pivotal player on the team ahead of the 2025 season.
There are plenty of Pittsburgh Steelers fans who want to see this team pick up another tight end after roster cutdowns or spend the extra roster spot on a deeper positional group altogether, but that's not happening. Connor Heyward is someone Rodgers is going to bat for, and the quarterback's comments make it clear that Heyward will be on this team in 2025.