The Pittsburgh Steelers are back in the AFC North driver’s seat, and while their path this season hasn’t exactly been smooth, the presence of one veteran quarterback is proving to be a steadying force when it matters most.
Aaron Rodgers, now 42 and in his first season with Pittsburgh, helped the Steelers open the year with four wins in their first five games. Then came a midseason slide - a 2-6 stretch that had plenty of folks wondering if the wheels were about to come off. But just as quickly, the Steelers have righted the ship with back-to-back wins, climbing to 8-6 and reclaiming sole possession of first place in a tightly contested AFC North.
And if you ask team captain Cameron Heyward, Rodgers’ impact goes far beyond the box score.
“There’s a level of accountability he brings to the group.”
Heyward, the longtime anchor of Pittsburgh’s defensive front, joined ESPN’s SportsCenter after the team’s 28-15 win over the Dolphins on Monday night. When asked about Rodgers’ influence, Heyward didn’t mince words.
“The way he challenges guys, the way he communicates - there’s a lot of stuff you see during practice,” Heyward said. “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.”
That constant dialogue - the film sessions, the sideline adjustments, the post-practice conversations - has helped build a sense of cohesion on an offense that needed a veteran voice. Rodgers has brought more than just a Hall of Fame résumé to Pittsburgh; he’s brought a culture shift.
From rocky start to mutual respect
It wasn’t always smooth between Rodgers and Heyward. Back in March, Heyward expressed frustration that Rodgers had publicly flirted with joining the Steelers but remained unsigned well into the offseason. That changed in June, when Rodgers finally inked his deal with Pittsburgh, and since then, he’s done more than win games - he’s won over the locker room.
By October, Heyward had completely changed his tune, saying Rodgers “should have a job as long as he wants.” That kind of turnaround doesn’t happen unless a player earns it - and Rodgers has clearly done just that.
His performance against Miami was a reminder of what he can still do when given time and rhythm. Rodgers was surgical, completing 23 of 27 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns.
No turnovers. No wasted possessions.
Just vintage Rodgers efficiency.
Accountability goes both ways
What’s made this relationship work isn’t just Rodgers holding others to a high standard - it’s that the team feels empowered to hold him to one, too.
“We can hold him accountable, too,” Heyward said, speaking to ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt after the win. “We let him know when he’s playing like crap, too.”
That kind of mutual accountability is rare - especially when you’re talking about a future Hall of Famer walking into a new locker room. But it’s a sign of a team that’s building something real. Rodgers isn’t just a hired gun; he’s part of the fabric now.
What’s next for Pittsburgh?
With the Ravens sitting at 7-7 and the Steelers at 8-6, the AFC North is still very much up for grabs. Pittsburgh faces a tough test on Dec. 21 with a road trip to Detroit to take on the 8-6 Lions - a team that’s been physical and opportunistic all season. That same night, Baltimore hosts the 11-3 New England Patriots in a game that could have major playoff seeding implications.
For Pittsburgh, it’s simple: keep stacking wins. With Rodgers under center and the defense finding its rhythm again, the Steelers are starting to look like a team no one wants to face in January.
And if they keep playing like this - with accountability flowing in every direction - they might just be getting started.