Pat McAfee has suggested that Aaron Rodgers is dealing with some ‘very, very serious’ personal issues, which is why he is yet to make a decision on his NFL future.
The veteran quarterback made his long-awaited return to McAfee’s ESPN show on Thursday and finally addressed uncertainty around his career.
Rodgers hit the free agency market after the New York Jets, who he also took aim at during the interview, cut ties back in February following a disappointing campaign.
There had been great speculation over what the quarterback’s future could hold. The Pittsburgh Steelers, Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants had all been floated as potential landing spots.
Meanwhile, retirement had also been mooted as another option for the 41-year-old after the Jets ended the season with a 5-12 record.
But speaking once Rodgers had departed from their interview, McAfee suggested there was something more sinister behind his friend’s delay in making a decision.
Pat McAfee revealed Aaron Rodgers is dealing with some ‘very, very serious’ personal issues
The veteran quarterback made his long-awaited return to McAfee’s ESPN show on Thursday
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When one of his co-stars suggested the Steelers looked like the most likely destination for Rodgers, the former Indianapolis Colts punter said: ‘That is what it sounds like. Not only is it due diligence, he wouldn’t say it there, it’s very serious the things that are happening to people to close to him.
‘I think he probably didn’t want to make a decision, do it all, knowing that he was going to be absent – not only physically but like, mentally.
‘Very serious things, I almost feel like, I’m not going to say, but very, very, very serious things – not for him, but people close to him and he feels I think, compelled, people that have been around him a long time and have had a lot of things happen to them that are very very serious.
‘I think he was very up front with people like “I don’t want to do this” and then (be absent)… I don’t think he liked how big that story got last year about the OTAs. I think he wants it to very much work if he is going to continue to play.
‘He said he is open to retirement, which potentially is something, but he is going to want it to have success. It sounds like he is a fan of the Steelers and hasn’t had time to make a decision or time to commit to a football team and be their quarterback with everything going on around him.’
After two months of radio silence, Rodgers still didn’t have a concrete answer for McAfee on where or if he will be playing football next season. He did appear to suggest he was willing to play on but also refused to rule out the possibility of hanging his cleats up.
‘I told every single one of the teams, it ain’t about the money. I said I’ll play for $10million. Whatever,’ he said.
‘I’m open to anything and attached to nothing. Retirement could still be a possibility. Focus on personal life.’
Retirement had been mooted as an option for Rodgers after the Jets finished 5-12 in 2024
Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers are believed to be the favorites to land Rodgers
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The former Super Bowl champion maintained that he had no intention of holding any team ‘hostage’ as he claimed he had been continuously candid with NFL franchises about his private life.
He insisted that he had been upfront during discussions with teams about the current non-football related issues dictating his attention.
Rodgers confirmed that he had held a ‘great conversation’ with Giants head coach Brian Daboll, who he described as having a ‘beautiful football mind.’
The NFL veteran also admitted to having worked out with the Steelers as he revealed he hasn’t closed off a path to Pittsburgh just yet.
‘This entire time, I haven’t felt like I owed anybody a decision at any point,’ Rodgers insisted.
‘I’ve said listen, if you need to move on and do something, love and respect. But there’s been no ᴅᴇᴀᴅline. I’ve talked to Mike T [Tomlin] many times.’
Rodgers is notoriously тιԍнт-lipped on his private life but did reveal back in December that he had found love.
He told McAfee and the rest of the crew that he has a new girlfriend named Brittani, though he did not go into any further details on who she is or how they met.
He revealed that his new love interest is not on any social-media channels after joking that she probably doesn’t watch McAfee’s show despite being a fan of the ESPN host.
Rodgers’ last relationship was with actress Shailene Woodley, with the pair splitting in 2022
He previously dated some other high-profile figures, including ex-racing driver Danica Patrick
Rodgers’ last public relationship was with actress Shailene Woodley , with the pair going their separate ways in 2022 after two years together.
Prior to his romance with Woodley he dated some high-profile figures in former racing car driver Danica Patrick and another actress in Olivia Munn.
Last month, Rodgers was captured in pH๏τos exclusive to DailyMail.com looking solemn as he pensively strolled along a Malibu beach.
The quarterback was alone at sunset on the Pacific Coast, where he was seen sporting a backwards baseball hat, a blanket wrapped around his torso and headphones in his ears as he NFL free agency dragged on.
Despite a laundry list of issues on offense with the Jets in 2024, Rodgers finished eight in the NFL with 3,897 yards – more than eventual MVP and Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. What’s more, Rodgers’ 28 touchdowns were tied for seventh with Allen.
A new quarterback has already arrived at One Jets Drive with New York replacing Rodgers with Justin Fields, while the Giants have brought in former Steelers signal caller Russell Wilson.
