New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers unleashed a scathing critique of ESPN’s SportsCenter hosts and other sports commentators, expressing his dissatisfaction with the evolution of sports television.
Rodgers made his remarks during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on December 10, a program that airs on ESPN. His comments were described as an “astonishing rant” by DailyMail.com. Meanwhile, Sports Illustrated pointed out the irony of Rodgers criticizing ESPN while appearing on its platform.
“There’s a lot of people talking about the game now,” Rodgers said. “Both non-former players and former players who are trying to stay relevant fame-wise. So the takes and the criticism are a lot different than they were maybe in the mid-2000s.”
His observations came after A.J. Hawk asked Rodgers to reflect on changes he has seen in the NFL during his career. While his initial comments were focused on players, Rodgers quickly shifted to criticizing ESPN.
“I’m talking about these experts on TV who nobody remembers what they did in their career,” he stated.
Aaron Rodgers on Sports Hosts Trying to ‘Stay Relevant’
Rodgers shared his belief that the nature of sports commentary has significantly shifted over the years.
“So in order for them to stay relevant, they have to make comments that keep them in the conversation. That wasn’t going on in 2008, 2009. The SportsCenter of my youth, those guys made highlights so much fun,” he explained.
Rodgers lamented how the format has changed, saying, “And that’s what they showed on SportsCenter. Now it’s all talk shows and people whose opinions are so important now. They believe they’re the celebrities now, they’re the stars for just being able to talk about sports or give a take about sports, many of which are unfounded or asinine, as we all know. But that’s the environment we’re in now.”
Despite his criticism, Rodgers acknowledged that this dynamic has contributed to the game’s growing popularity. He also clarified that his remarks were not directed at McAfee.
Rodgers Says NFL Players and the Game Have Changed
Rodgers, formerly a rival of the Detroit Lions during his time with the Green Bay Packers, is now with the New York Jets but still has plenty to say about the league.
He observed that today’s NFL players are “bigger, stronger, and faster” but believes “football IQ has dropped.” From a physical standpoint, he said players are better, but the game itself is different due to the influence of social media and branding opportunities off the field.
“Now there’s a lot of emphasis on the brand,” Rodgers noted, highlighting the many ways players can earn money outside of football.
He added that the sport today is “less violent” and players are superior athletes, though he thinks the game has softened. “We’re mirroring society a bit. The softer we get, the softer our game gets,” Rodgers concluded.
Shailene Woodley Reflects on Her Relationship With Aaron Rodgers
Just days before Rodgers’ comments, actress Shailene Woodley opened up about her past relationship with him in an interview with Outside Magazine.
“I had a really awful, traumatic thing happen in early 2022,” Woodley said, referring to the end of their engagement that February.
She admitted, “I haven’t shared much about my relationship with Aaron because it always makes me cry. It was not right. But it was beautiful.”
Woodley detailed the emotional toll the breakup took on her, describing the experience as deeply painful.
“I felt like I lost my soul, my self, my happiness, my joy,” she revealed. “I really understood depression and anxiety and, like, complete soul detachment.”
She characterized the relationship as a “toxic situation” where she often empathized with Rodgers at her own expense.
