Aaron Rodgers is hardly a stranger to controversy over the past half decade or so. However much of what has fuelled his polarizing public image has come via his regular appearances on the Pat McAfee Show.
And Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio had some things to say about his current and future appearances on the show.
“Let me re-iterate something that I have said in the past: I don’t think he should do McAfee’s show this year.” Florio said on Wednesday, “I don’t think it helps the Steelers, and I don’t think it helps him. I remember when Ben Roethlisberger used to do spots every week on 937TheFan in Pittsburgh, he would say things that would become distractions.
Steelers fans are going to hang on every single thing that Rodgers says, and anything he says can and will be used to fashion a narrative that will distract people from the task at hand, which is winning football games. He has no reason to do it.”
Florio goes on to comment that Rodgers not going on the show could be mutually beneficial – and certainly not a loss – for either McAfee or Super Bowl champion.
“[Rodgers] has no reason to do it…I don’t think people really care about Aaron Rodgers being on [McAfee’s] show. I don’t think they are tuning in to see Aaron Rodgers, I don’t…You don’t need Aaron Rodgers and Aaron Rodgers doesn’t need to do it. The Steelers need him not to do it.”
Florio Believes Both Steelers And Rodgers Would Benefit From McAfee Show Exit
Florio is wrong about one thing – Rodgers is certainly still a draw for McAfee and his viewers. The 4 x MVP is still one of the best known athletes in the country, let alone football players.
And having played now for two historic franchises, the Packers and the Steelers (plus the Jets), he will have the full force and attention of those three fanbases.
The Steelers are still relevant in the AFC North, but they will be firm underdogs to take home the division title, behind the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals.
Right now, after a luckluster season New York, faith in Rodgers is about as low as it has ever been – and there is certainly some concern for his receiving corps that currently features only All-Pro, DK Metcalf as a proven, reliable target still in his prime.
But a strong start to the season – as Mike Tomlin-coached teams have been more than prone to have – could thrust Rodgers back into the limelight, and make those appearances on one of the biggest sports-talk shows in the country even more irresistible for both parties.
What Are Aaron Rodgers’ Expectations For 2025?
The stated aim for both him and Tomlin will to be to bring home a championship to Pittsburgh, the first since the current Steelers head coach got his first and only ring after the 2008 season.
But realistically, the team would feel like they received a good return on their investment; a one year, $13.65 million deal signed earlier this month; if they managed to win a playoff game – something Tomlin has not done since early 2017 when the team made the AFC Championship game, nearly a decade ago.
2025 has already been slated to be the ex-Packer’s final year in the NFL by the man himself, and Rodgers will no doubt be hoping that this potentially last season is one that reflects positively amongst his already substantial legacy.
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