The Steelers might be getting really desperate to sign Aaron Rodgers. Last week, it was reported that the team is willing to wait as he makes a decision on his future. But since then, they have seen Russell Wilson packing his bags and heading to the Giants on a one-year deal, while Justin Fields also moved to New York to be with the Jets. Hence, Mike Tomlin and Co. are doing everything in their power to have Rodgers in Pittsburgh next season and as soon as they can. The 41-year-old veteran QB visited the Steelers’ facility a few days ago for a meeting that was meant to be secret and had a conversation that was already “beyond the pitch.” This suggests that it is either Rodgers or bust for the Steelers at this point.

With Rodgers playing the waiting game and reports that “there’s no actual deadline” for him to announce his next move, there might have been a few people in the Steelers camp getting restless. DT Cam Heyward made that much obvious with his comments when asked whether he would go on one of Rodgers’ infamous dark retreats to convince him to move to Pittsburgh. Talking on his Not Just Football podcast on March 18, he bluntly put, “I ain’t doing that darkness retreat. I don’t need any of that c**p. Either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don’t. That’s simple, that’s the pitch.” However, with the QB market thinning, Heyward decided to change his tune and put on his recruiting hat with a message for Rodgers.

On Wednesday, Heyward appeared on the NFL Network’s Good Morning Football and clarified that his earlier comments were “misconstrued,” before making his pitch to Rodgers. “The pitch is: If you wanna be a Steeler, be a Steeler. It wasn’t meant that I don’t like Rodgers or I’m against it. I think when I look at our team right now, it would be really cool to have a guy like Aaron Rodgers,” he said. The veteran DT then clarified what will be expected of Rodgers if and when he joins the Steelers.

“What I would say to him, I would just say if you come to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the goal is to win. We haven’t had the success we want, but the goal is still in mind to raise the Lombardi and bring that seventh one to Pittsburgh,” Heyward said.

Well, it’s been over a decade since the Steelers lifted a Lombardi. And let’s be real—ever since Ben Roethlisberger hung up his cleats, Pittsburgh hasn’t just missed out on another Super Bowl run; they’ve been stuck spinning in a never-ending quarterback carousel. See it this way: after Big Ben hung up his cleats, the Steelers started with four QBs in the last few years. And the way things are shaping up, Aaron Rodgers would be the fifth QB in this saga.

And that’s where things get pretty interesting. Rodgers was the latest victim of the Jets‘ QB curse. A-Rod was supposed to be the savior of the team, but he ended his first season in New York, tearing his Achilles, right after playing four snaps. To make things more miserable, his second season wasn’t worth the hype. It ended with Rodgers taking more shots at the media rather than actual snaps on the field.

Rodgers and the Jets seemed like a perfect match on paper. When he arrived in New York, the franchise was thrust into the spotlight once again, and Rodgers’ every move was scrutinized. But Cam Heyward believes that the Steelers don’t pay attention to the big-market clamor or media drama.

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“We don’t really care about the glitz and glam of New York, but the focus is on good, hard football, competing every day, challenging each other and trying to go from there,” he continued. Pittsburgh is just about grinding, competing, and playing tough, no-nonsense football. And that’s exactly what Heyward demands from Rodgers and perhaps, this is what Rodgers needs at this point in his career. The prospect of swapping the Big Apple’s noise and constant attention for Pittsburgh’s calm and steady environment may entice Rodgers.

The Steelers and Mike Tomlin have built a culture of respect, the franchise has a family-business feel, and offers stability. Rodgers might have already gotten a feel of how things would be in Pittsburgh when he turned up to meet Tomlin and his staff last week.

It was reported that the 6-hour meeting was pulled discreetly initially, with the team “calling a team meeting (rounding everyone up and away) that day.” However, details of the meeting eventually leaked, with the Steelers having “walked away that day feeling really good about the vibe of the meeting, per a league source,” as reported by Josina Anderson.

While Heyward mentioned he didn’t get to communicate with Rodgers when he visited the facility, there is one Steelers player in contact with the former Packers man.

Aaron Rodgers’ contact with the Steelers TE

Rodgers visiting the Steelers’ facility to have a chat with Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, bodes well for the Steelers. But it is no confirmation of a move, yet. Still, some positive developments suggest we might see him donning the black and gold soon.

During an appearance on 93.7 The Fan on Tuesday, tight end Pat Freiermuth revealed that he’s in contact with A-Rod. “Yeah, I’ve been in contact,” he said while having a chat with the hosts, Andrew Fillipponi and Chris Mueller of the radio show. And if you’re thinking that Freiermuth is in contact with Rodgers via a direct call—yeah, not exactly. In fact, the guy’s been DM-ing him on social media.

“It’s not his phone number. I’ve just been DM-ing on my Instagram. I haven’t gotten past the DM phase,” the TE further said. Freiermuth played a total of 13 games, starting in eight of them. With 44 receptions for 470 yards, the tight end scored five touchdowns, he will be hoping to catch a few passes from Rodgers if he ends up in Pittsburgh.