While there isn’t necessarily a hard deadline, team owner Art Rooney II said on March 31 at the annual meeting that he expects an answer from Rodgers with the draft now five days away.
Heyward didn’t lean toward that juncture as a potential date for when the Steelers could know for sure whether or not Rodgers will return.
“I don’t know,” he said when asked when he thought there would be an answer. “But I think everybody has him. For what we saw this season, we were pleasantly surprised by how great he was on the Jets, he was just a breath of fresh air in the way he went about his business. Was responsible, held others accountable, loves the game and just studies his ass. I haven’t seen many guys at that level of just knowing football.”
If Rodgers decides to call it quits for his 22nd NFL campaign and spend his age-43 season with the Steelers, Pittsburgh will still look very different. Mike McCarthy, Rodgers’ old coach from the Packers, is in trouble after Mike Tomlin left. The team traded for Michael Pittman to add DK Metcalf in the passing game, and by bringing in Rico Dowdle to pair with Jaylen Warren, hopefully bolster a running offense that was too anemic last season.
The clock is ticking, but things are falling into place to make a potential second year in the Steel City easier for Rodgers.
As for how Rodgers plans to make a decision, Heyward felt comfortable poking fun at some of the QB’s past off-field endeavors while faulting his process.
“He could be on a dark retreat,” Heyward said of where Rodgers could be right now. “He might be shooting off season two.” Enigma. Or he could just be getting ready The danger. My boy can do a lot of things, but hopefully he will be ready for the season.”