Steelers' Cam Heyward Calls Out Aaron Rodgers With Hilarious Tweet After Social Media Went Crazy Over Photo

When longtime Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger announced his retirement at the end of the 2021 NFL season, it came as no surprise. Rumors of his retirement had circulated since his season-ending elbow injury and subsequent surgery in 2019. After returning from the injury, Roethlisberger led the Steelers to an electric 12-4 season in 2020 up until a disappointing loss to the Cleveland Browns in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. Though center Maurkice Pouncey had made up his mind and decided to hang up the cleats, Roethlisberger decided that he had another year left in him. One year later, in January of 2022, the two-time Super Bowl champion made it official and announced his retirement. 

The rumor mill continued to go wild as the Steelers were on the hunt for Roethlisberger's successor. One name that caught traction was Aaron Rodgers, who, at the time, spearheaded the Green Bay Packers offense. For years, the relationship between Rodgers and the Packers soured, but especially after the acquisition of quarterback, Jordan Love in 2020. 

Fans and media alike began to take a liking to the idea of Rodgers relocating to Pittsburgh at the end of the season. Following a lighthearted moment between Rodgers and Steelers' Head Coach, Mike Tomlin in 2021, fuel had been added to the fire.

Though Tomlin and Rodgers expressed mutual respect, nothing came to fruition. Rodgers remained in Green Bay for the 2022 season and the Steelers acquired Mitch Trubisky and drafted Kenny Pickett to add to the quarterback room alongside mainstay, Mason Rudolph. Rodgers, on the other hand, made his long-awaited move following the 2022 season and was traded to the New York Jets for major draft capital. 

The four-time league MVP is expected to give the Jets the extra edge needed to be a real contender in the AFC. With a strong defense and a newly improved receiving corp, the only missing factor was a talented quarterback. With Zach Wilson not living up to expectations, they jumped up at the opportunity to seize one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. Rodgers probably only has a few seasons left until retirement, but the Jets aren't making a long-term play. With Rodgers, they've made a move with the hopes of securing a Super Bowl in the near future. 

Steelers' Cam Heyward Stirs The Pot On Twitter

With Organized Team Activities (OTAs) underway and training camp around the corner, the excitement continues to build for the quarterback's New York debut. On Thursday, Proactive Sports Performance posted a photo of Rodgers training for the season, which quickly gained traction on social media. Shortly after it went viral on Twitter, Steelers' Cameron Heyward jumped in with a tweet of his own.

The response went wild on Twitter and stirred the pot with Jets fans who were quick to craft comebacks of their own. In reality, the shade was only fun and games. Heyward may be vicious on the field, but he otherwise doesn't have a mean bone in his body. The three-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler has been nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award five times throughout his career.

How Does Rodgers Impact The AFC Playoff Picture?

Now that the Jets have their problem resolved at quarterback, the AFC becomes more competitive. In particular, the three Wild Card seeds will be harder to earn than in previous years. The Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers secured the spots in 202  and the Steelers were knocked out of contention at the very last minute. This year, it's anyone's game. The addition of Rodgers to the AFC will only make things more interesting. Do you think Rodgers complicates the Steelers' road to the 2023 playoffs? Let us know in the comments below!

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