Cam Heyward Explains Unseen Impact Aaron Rodgers Has Had on Steelers

The veteran quarterback has his team in position to make the playoffs.
Aaron Rodgers was excellent during a 'Monday Night Football' victory over the Miami Dolphins.
Aaron Rodgers was excellent during a 'Monday Night Football' victory over the Miami Dolphins. / Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
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The Pittsburgh Steelers moved one step closer to an AFC North title on Monday night by easily dispatching the Miami Dolphins. Aaron Rodgers proved that Philip Rivers is not the only over-40 quarterback who can lead a team by posting one of his most efficient games since joining the franchise. The 42-year-old completed 23 of his 27 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns as the Steelers maintained a one-game lead over the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North. Those two teams will square off in Week 18 in a game that may very well decide who wins the division.

Now at 8-6, Pittsburgh is in a much different situation than they were a few weeks ago when Mike Tomlin was put on the hot seat and the hot takes flew. Rodgers, who has been up and down, is now at a point where he can prove the organization's faith was well-placed and—on paper—give them more of a puncher's chance than they've had with lesser options under center in January.

Cam Heyward spoke about the veteran's impact on the team during a victorious interview with Scott Van Pelt on SportsCenter.

"There's a level of accountability he brings to the group," Heyward said. "The way he challenges guys, the way he communicates. There's a lot of stuff you see during practice but then off the field, he's working with guys. It's not just the offensive line, the wide receivers the tight ends. They all play a big role in what he wants to do and he just keeps talking about it."

Van Pelt followed up, pointing out that Rodgers can be harsh in his reactions to his teammates' missteps.

"We can hold him accountable too," Heyward explained. "We let him know when he's playing like crap too."

Pittsburgh had to know exactly what they were getting with Rodgers, from the good, the bad and the unique. Through 14 games they are exactly where they wanted to be, even if there's been some bumps along the way.


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Kyle Koster
KYLE KOSTER

Kyle Koster is an assistant managing editor at Sports Illustrated covering the intersection of sports and media. He was formerly the editor in chief of The Big Lead, where he worked from 2011 to '24. Koster also did turns at the Chicago Sun-Times, where he created the Sports Pros(e) blog, and at Woven Digital.