Cam Heyward was hoping to stay teammates with Justin Fields.
Heyward and Fields spent the 2024 season together in Pittsburgh, where the latter started six games at quarterback before Russell Wilson took over. The 2021 first-round pick impressed over that stretch, and it helped him land a two-year, $40 million contract with the New York Jets at the turn of the new league year.
The veteran defensive lineman is confident Fields with succeed in New York, but he wanted to see the talented signal-caller try to thrive with the Steelers.
“First of all, Justin’s a class act,” Heyward said on “The Rich Eisen Show,” as transcribed by Yahoo Sports. “He’s a guy that works his tail off and wants to lead by example. I was kind of bummed it didn’t work out here. I thought we were going to have a chance to get him. But I know that dude’s going to dominate in New York. He’s going to give that team a good chance — between him and Garrett Wilson already having a relationship there is huge.”
Fields had a variety of reasons for wanting to join the Jets, including the opportunity to work with first-year head coach Aaron Glenn. As for the Steelers, it remains completely unclear who will be behind center for the storied franchise when the 2025 regular season begins.
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It very well could be Aaron Rodgers, but Heyward personally is sick of the legendary quarterback holding Pittsburgh hostage as he mulls his options.
Featured image via Barry Reeger/Imagn Images