Former Pearl Jam drummer Matt Cameron addressed whether Dave Grohl offered him the Foo Fighters drummer role following Josh Freese’s departure. He spoke on Dean Delray’s podcast.
The conversation touched on the timing of Cameron’s exit from Pearl Jam, which coincided with Foo Fighters’ search for a new drummer — sparking widespread speculation among fans. When asked directly whether the opportunity had ever been presented to him, Cameron confirmed there had been some communication with Grohl, but clarified that it never went further than that.
The interviewer set the stage with the question: “There was so much swirling when Foo Fighters were looking for a new drummer, I thought like, ‘Oh, Matt left Pearl Jam and this is going to happen.’ Was that ever approached?”
“Well, Dave (Grohl) texted me,” Cameron said. “We went back and forth a little bit because he’s such a nice supportive guy. But no, I wasn’t really looking to do that gig.”
Cameron also made clear he had no reservations about how things ultimately played out for the band.
“But it worked out great, you know,” he continued. “I mean, they got a killer guy. And I saw them with Josh. I thought Josh was crushing it.”
Foo Fighters ultimately moved on with a different drummer after parting ways with Josh Freese. Cameron’s comments suggest the door was never truly open on his end.
Cameron’s candid remarks come in the broader context of a significant chapter closing in his career. He officially announced his departure from Pearl Jam on July 7, 2025, after 27 years with the band — one of the longest tenures of any drummer in rock history. His exit sent shockwaves through the rock world and immediately fueled speculation about what he would do next, and who might fill his seat.
The reasons behind his Pearl Jam departure were rooted in the physical demands of the road. Cameron cited the band’s grueling three-hour shows and relentless touring schedule as key factors in his decision to step away. He described it as a natural progression rather than a falling out. He gave the band considerable advance notice, and by all accounts the split was amicable.
“I was having some issues with three-hour shows and constant touring and stuff,” Cameron explained. “That’s definitely an art form unto itself.”
Pearl Jam’s search for a replacement proved to be a lengthy process. Nearly a year after Cameron’s exit, the band had still not publicly confirmed a new drummer. Guitarist Mike McCready acknowledged in April 2026 that conversations were ongoing. By May 2026, original Pearl Jam drummer Dave Krusen confirmed via Instagram that the band had found their man — though the new drummer’s identity had yet to be officially unveiled by the band at that point.
Through it all, Cameron has remained focused on what comes next for him personally. His post-Pearl Jam chapter is closely tied to Soundgarden, where he has been working on releasing a final album featuring vocals from the late Chris Cornell. For Cameron, the move away from Pearl Jam was less about closing a door and more about redirecting his energy. His brief exchange with Dave Grohl appears to have been just one of many paths he quietly considered and passed on.
Source: Dean Delray – Ep 868: Matt Cameron, Drummer – Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Temple Of The Dog
