If the NFL had a version of its musical chairs, the Pittsburgh Steelers QB room would fit right in. Like an offseason that started with a debate on Justin Fields or Russell Wilson as starters has now eloped to Mason Rudolph. Fields has left the Steelers for the Jets after getting ignored by Mike Tomlin. Then, it looked like Wilson had a clear route to reclaim his starting spot in Pittsburgh. But the Steelers never fail to surprise us whenever it comes to finding an eventual replacement for future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger. Judging by longtime Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward’s opinion. Is Rudolph really in for another shot to fill in Big Ben’s shoes after his first botched attempt?

See, ever since Ben retired in 2021, the Steelers have cycled through QB like I go through clothes whenever it’s time to go out. They picked Kenny Pickett from the 2022 draft with their 20th overall. However, what looked like a match made in heaven soon turned into a Pittsburgh disaster. Pickett lost his starting spot in his final season and was replaced by Mason Rudolph, the Steelers’ former third-round pick in 2018. He had already spent 5 seasons in Pittsburgh and never looked like a starter once.

Until the last 3 games fell into his lap in 2023, where he led the Steelers to the postseason with a 3-0 record. However, Rudolph’s hot run met ice-cold Bills in the playoffs, which ended up being his last game in black and gold. So, since the failed prince has come back, Cam Heyward thinks he might be the chosen one after all. “Mason’s a good dude. I think Mason proved to a lot of Steelers fans, not just this past year but last year when he stepped in for us, that he was ready…Excited to have him back. He’s really a guy for the locker room, and a lot of guys vibe with him. So to bring him back, part of the group is special,” Heyward on his Not Just Football Podcast.

Can he really be the answer to the Steelers QB room that has forgotten what’s stability? I mean, the chances of Rudolph succeeding in Pittsburgh are honestly pretty bleak. In his first chapter, he went 8-4-1 as a starter. Then, with the Titans, he went 1-14 as a starter. Still only 29, you could say Rudolph may have some potential to grow. But the real question is are the Steelers really going to gamble on a QB that has all the traits of a backup? Well, they might have to, you know. Wilson probably ain’t coming back with the Browns and the Giants circling over his signature.

And as for the Steelers’ No.1 target right now. Well, he seems to be in a zone of his own. Maybe that’s why Cam Heyward is seemingly fed with the 41-year-old. He’s like, ‘Either you come soon or get lost.’

Cam Heyward sends an ultimatum to Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers just doesn’t seem to make up his mind after the Jets divorce. His Packers exit led him to a darkness retreat and the same might be happening again. As Rodgers has yet to answer the phone calls from the Steelers. Despite not getting a clear-shot answer from A-Rod, the Steelers are still waiting on the 4-time NFL MVP’s decision. And that’s the thing Heyward doesn’t like right now. He has openly called out Rodgers by throwing an ultimatum at him.

On his latest Not Just Football podcast, the Steelers defensive captain simply said, “Either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don’t. It’s that simple.” Actually, Heyward’s attitude towards Rodgers is pretty different than what he presented to Russ a year ago. When Wilson was still looking for a franchise and the Steelers a worthy starter, Heyward took matters into his own hands. Acting as an agent for his team, Heyward FaceTimed Wilson for an hour.

And you know what he said, “Pittsburgh isn’t the place for glitz and glamour. It’s not L.A. It’s not Atlanta. This is the place where gladiators come, and we’re going to compete every day. He was receptive to that. He wanted to compete.” But right now Heyward has changed his stance about recruiting QBs. He’s had enough of the Steelers QB drama that doesn’t have an end like One Piece. So, now it’s totally up to Rodgers whether he really wants to be a gladiator in Pittsburgh. Or has that Jets campaign sucked the fuel out of his engine? What do you think?