The Green Bay Packers will be moving on from Aaron Rodgers at some point this offseason. On Wednesday, Rodgers appeared on The Pat McAfee Show and revealed that his intentions are to play for the New York Jets. There was a great deal said, some of which we already knew or surmised, and some that we did not. However, Rodgers did not shy away from saying that he had wished that the Packers’ front office would have been upfront with him after the season and told him that they wanted to move on. This comment, along with other things Rodgers said, had former offensive lineman and Super Bowl Champion Mark Tauscher heated.
Full Aaron Rodgers Interview on Pat McAfee Can Be Viewed Here
What Else Did Aaron Rodgers Say Regarding the Green Bay Packers?
If you want to hear that full interview, you can find it linked above. To paraphrase what Rodgers said:
- Claimed the Packers told him to take as much time as he needed to make a decision
- He had a feeling all year long that 2022 was his last in a Packers uniform
- Was 90% confident that he was going to retire this offseason when he started his darkness retreat
- When he came out of the darkness, he had messages from friends around the NFL saying that the Packers were shopping him
- Said he has nothing but love for the organization, but wishes they had been upfront with him about wanting to move on
- Is committed to playing for the New York Jets in 2023
- Is a big believer in Jordan Love
Rodgers also refused to answer any questions regarding what offseason or preseason programs he will participate in with the Jets as he has not been traded to them yet.
Former Green Bay Packers Lineman Mark Tauscher Went Off on Aaron Rodgers
Mark Tauscher played for the Green Bay Packers from 2000-2010. He was there when the Packers transitioned from Brett Favre to Rodgers and he won a Super Bowl with the team in his final season. Now, he is a Packers analyst with ESPN Milwaukee, and he had some strong words for Rodgers on his show following the McAfee interview:
“Because he’s soft! He avoids all confrontation. This is no different than anything else he has done.” – @espnhomer not parsing any words about why @AaronRodgers12 wasn’t open with Brian Gutekunst 😳 pic.twitter.com/D5hpFK6FvX
— ESPN Milwaukee (@ESPNMilwaukee) March 15, 2023
“Why didn’t he just go to Gutey and say, ‘Listen man, it’s been an unbelievable run. You’ve got your guy. Jordan’s got a lot better. Move to him. I’m going to still keep playing. Let’s just figure this thing out.’
“Because if you [Rodgers] believe in direct communication, that’s how you felt! Those feelings haven’t changed. He [Rodgers] has been honest with McAfee about that he felt that way. Whether or not he wanted to retire, he could have said, ‘Could you release me,’ and they would have laughed at him.
“But he could have done that. Why wouldn’t he do that if that is indeed how he felt, how he felt they they felt? Why couldn’t he have stepped up and just said, ‘You know what guys, I know you guys want Jordan to play, and he deserves to play. I’ve been in those shoes. He should play. Let’s find a spot that I want to play at, you can get a little comp back, and let’s move forward with our lives.’
“Why couldn’t he have done that instead of dragging it out and playing this game, which now doesn’t feel like anybody is going to win. Nobody’s winning this PR battle. He can trash the organization. No one is going to win this battle. He’s not going to win. He’s not. He’s not going to win the PR battle.”
Tauscher’s co-host, Homer responded with: “Because he’s soft! He avoids all confrontation. This is no different than anything else he has done.”
I am not sure I would go as far as to call Rodgers soft. However, he certainly has been playing games with the organization through the media/Pat McAfee. Hopefully Jordan Love doesn’t develop the same tendency.
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
4 Comments
I’m just celebrating the end. Never been impressed with him. Sits on the show saying he’s the greatest packer ever and they should be more straight with him and transparent but he can go months and leave them hanging. Good riddens!
I got a feeling some of the fallout from Brett Favre’s exit is coming to roost. He’s 39, many players retire around then, Brady being the exception rather than the rule. Recruiting Love the Packers were thinking ahead and getting ready to move ahead in developing his replacement, while trying to have contingency plans available.
Now Rogers goes on to win 2 straight MVP awards which is exactly the right way to address what he was probably sensing. Favre asking him “sucks, doesn’t it” is very telling, especially given the parallels. I got a sneaking suspicion he got a case of deja Vu, and in the back of his mind he was remembering how the job became his, now sensing the other end of that scenario. He’s not enmity with Favre, and is probably very much seeing himself being in Favre’s shoes right about now.
Piss off Packers front office
Would of could of what ever two way street… packers coulda been more decisive it’s not all on Aaron… stop with the hate former packers… Love isn’t the answer… and they will move on from him after next season..with Love. Love isn’t good… they should’ve traded straight up with Garoppolo he’s better than love ever be