Steelers react to starting workouts without Rodgers

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The first day of voluntary team work came, and the Steelers were able to manage without Aaron Rodgers. The quarterback still hasn't made up his mind and yet the team seems to be good either way right now.

It's not to be flippant about his potential importance, he is a future Hall of Famer, but more to give you the attitude of the team from a decade-long captain and a couple of receivers. The focus is on the group that is currently going through voluntary workouts.

"We keep approaching it as, we go with what is out there," said 15-year Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward. "We put ourselves in the good situation where we don't rely on one player. We all have to be accountable for winning."

That's very team first, if sounding a little prepared for a question that was coming, but notable that it's not just about one player. What's really unique for Steelers players to grasp is they know the front office has sent an invitation to Rodgers that doesn't have an RSVP date.

"You can't worry about what is happening outside of here," Heyward said. "That's the way the Steelers have always run the ship. You can speculate one or two ways. At this moment in the offseason, let me lock in on my craft right now. Let me make sure I take care of my job. You start playing the hoping and wishing game, I'll see you at the cathedral down the street."

"I just take it day-by-day," said Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth. "It is what it is. Just trying to put my head down and be a leader for this offense. There are a lot of things I can be doing than worrying about who is going to be our quarterback."

There seems to be a genuine fondness for Mason Rudolph. Freiermuth called him a 'hell of a guy, hell of a teammate and a great locker room guy'. Signed through 2026, Freiermuth said when they needed Rudolph in 2023, he stood there and got them three straight regular season wins to get them in the postseason.

Receiver Calvin Austin, and this was a popular talking point when asked on Tuesday, is comfortable going forward with Rudolph as the offensive leader.

"I feel like we are proceeding as necessary because with Mason at quarterback, we made the playoffs," Austin said. "The fourth quarter, I'm pretty sure with the Bills (2023 season playoff game), it was a one-score game in the fourth quarter with Mason."

"All of us on offense have full confidence. We have full confidence in the coaching staff. We have full confidence in each other."

"What you don't know about Mason is that he's a big class clown," Heyward said. "It's good to have his energy in the locker room. He comes with the right mindset."

Rudolph said he's heard the noise of Rodgers potentially signing, but noise is just the nature of the NFL. All he can do is focus on his game.

Unlike his role in helping convince Russell Wilson to come to the Steelers last year, Heyward said he hasn't talked to Rodgers. He said there is no need to recruit him. It's pretty black-and-white what they are looking for and need. Heyward believes the 41-year-old quarterback has had the conversations he's needed to have.

Now it's about Rodgers making up his mind. No one on the roster seems to know when that might happen. Heyward said veteran players know what they need to be ready for a season, so he's not concerned about when Rodgers could show up. If he does, Heyward said he'll be ready.

"I understand we are in a business where everyone wants to know who our quarterback is, but do I have control over that?" Heyward asked. "No. Do the other guys? No. Everybody has their own decision to make."

"Social media makes it think it has to happen now. For us, let's lock in and get our work done."

Right now, it's without Rodgers, Steelers are preparing for if he comes or not. And ultimately if he doesn't, they are ready to pour into Mason Rudolph.