Aaron Rodgers Deserves More Respect
Throughout the years, many media outlets have been fully attacking Aaron Rodgers not only as a player but also as a person, which is very unacceptable and character assassination even though most of them do not even know him personally. Rodgers is a Super Bowl champion and four-time MVP, one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game, and arguably has the best throw we will ever see in the history of the NFL. The constant media attacks on him have been unjust and completely unwarranted. Rodgers has been open on podcasts and in interviews, voicing his opinions on certain matters, but at the end of the day everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Being relentlessly criticized for that is extremely unfair.
Over the years there have also been plenty of false stories tied to Rodgers, including claims this year that he was dragging out his decision-making just to seek attention before signing with a team. In reality, Rodgers was dealing with personal issues, including people in his inner circle battling cancer, and he wanted to dedicate his time to supporting them. That means far more than football, yet these realities were overlooked in favor of cheap narratives.
Jets situation and revenge game:
Rodgers was ultimately given up on by the Jets. After two disastrous seasons that were not his fault but a reflection of a messy organization. In his first game with New York, Rodgers tore his Achilles on the first drive of the game. The following year was a disaster of coaching, offensive line breakdowns, and an underwhelming defense. The Jets ultimately decided to release Rodgers this offseason. Rodgers flew to New York to meet with the coaches and general manager only to be told the team was moving on without him. Here’s Rodgers story on what happened with the Jets following his release: “When I flew across the country on my own dime, I thought that there was going to be a conversation, and the confusing thing to me and the strange thing was, you know, when I went out there, I met with the coach, and we started talking. He ran out of the room, and I was like, ‘That’s kind of strange.’ Then he came back with the GM, and I was like, ‘All right,’ so we sat down in the office, and I thought we were going to have this long conversation. I’ve flown across the country, and in 20 seconds—I mean literally, I’m talking to the GM about something, and he leans to the edge of his seat and goes, “So, do you want to play football?” I was like yeah I’m interested, and he said we’re going a different direction in quarterback and i was kind of shocked not shocked because I didn’t think that was a possibility, listen of course if they want to move on that’s totally fine but shocked because I just flew across country you could have told me this on the phone if we weren’t even gonna have a conversation and this is verbatim exactly how it happened so I said huh and he goes we just want to know how you want it released the messaging and I said verbatim I don’t give a shit about the message and I said why and then he said I don’t want to be up in front of the room saying something and have guys looking back at you and I said what does that even mean are you assuming that I would be in the back of the room during the team meeting undermining what you’re saying I said you don’t know me and he said you don’t know me and then I said exactly which is why I flew across the country to have a face-to-face meeting with you to talk about my experience with the jets and to hear your vision for the team 20 seconds in what I thought was going to be a couple hour meeting turned into like a 15 minute meeting and I walked out of there but um so at that moment that was a strange meeting there was no me pleading like please have me on the team no I don’t know or I don’t want any part of that it was already a debacle.” The entire situation with the Jets was a mess, and overall, they were unprofessional in how they treated him in the end.
Fast forward to week one, the Steelers took on the Jets. Rodgers had his revenge. He delivered an unforgettable performance with four touchdown passes, showing once again that he thrives on the big stage. He did not look like a quarterback in his forties; he looked like the Rodgers of his prime. This was not the first time in his career that he has answered in a revenge game, but it was certainly one of the best. After the game, in a post-game interview, Rodgers said, “I was happy to beat everybody associated with the Jets.” Now in Pittsburgh, Rodgers is wanted. He has had a strong relationship with Mike Tomlin for years, and Tomlin pushed for him to join the Steelers. Rodgers is respected by the organization and is already showing himself to be a leader in the locker room. Steelers fans have not seen this level of offensive leadership in years (since Ben Roethlisberger retired). The offensive line still needs work, but the receivers and play calling looked sharper than they have in a long time. To debut with four touchdowns is historic and exactly the kind of record-setting moment that Rodgers has built his career on.
Former Teammates Share Their Personal Praise:
Isaiah Davis:
Jets running back Isaiah Davis admired Rodgers’s example in the locker room and weight room, saying, “I just feel like he does it the right way… one of the hardest workers in the weight room…” You take from him the work ethic.” Davis emphasized Rodgers’ investment in the people around him, not just football.
Quincy Williams:
Jets linebacker Quincy Williams summed up his impression of Rodgers in three words: “Great guy.” He added, “He cares about football… he cares about how the people in his locker room feel about him.”
Jordy Nelson:
Former Packers receiver Jordy Nelson has always defended Rodgers’s character. He once said, “No one wants to hear that Aaron’s a great leader and does everything right.” Nelson even called many of the criticisms against Rodgers comical, highlighting how respected Rodgers was by those who actually knew him.
Davante Adams:
Star receiver Davante Adams is one of Rodgers’s closest friends. He gave Rodgers credit for shaping his own career: “Having his company… I put value on. He is a big part of why I am who I am.” Adams explained that his approach to preparation and professionalism came directly from watching Rodgers operate.
Jordan Love:
Jordan Love has gone out of his way to say Rodgers was a great person to him, not the cold figure the media often portrayed. From the very beginning, Rodgers welcomed him, explained he had once been in the same situation, and made sure there was no hostility. Love said that support was super helpful to his career because it allowed him to soak up Rodgers’ wisdom instead of dealing with unnecessary tension.
He credits Rodgers with teaching him how to command a room, motivate teammates, and handle pressure situations. Watching Rodgers’ chemistry with Davante Adams and his ability to manipulate defenses showed Love the difference between just playing and mastering the game. Most of all, Love says Rodgers’s consistency with no excuses and no off days was invaluable, shaping how he approaches the position today.
Breiden Fehoko:
Steelers former defensive lineman Breiden Fehoko admitted he was not sure what to expect after Rodgers’ negative media portrayal. But after meeting him in Pittsburgh, Fehoko said, “Aaron is one of the most genuine dudes I’ve met and a true friend, in or out of football. He’s a great QB and an even better human being.” He added that he is grateful for their friendship and now sees Rodgers far differently than the media narrative suggested.
Rodgers has also gotten a lot of praise from current notable Steelers players, including T.J. Watt, Jalen Ramsey, DK Metcalf, Cam Heyward, Will Howard, Mason Rudolph, Calvin Austin, and Pat Freiermuth.
Final Thoughts:
Aaron Rodgers’s story is not just about his throws, MVPs, or even his comeback performances. It is also about how he is remembered by those who played alongside him. Isaiah Davis, Quincy Williams, Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, Jordan Love, and Breiden Fehoko are just some examples of players who all described a quarterback who cared, supported, and led them as people as much as players. Rodgers deserves far more respect than the media has given him. His teammates words say it all: he is not just one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game, he is also a genuine leader and friend. No matter how many people doubt you, no matter how many lies are told about you, and no matter how many times you are given up on, you can still rise. That has been Aaron Rodgers’s story. The media tried to paint him in ways that were false, and a team he gave everything to moved on from him in an unprofessional way, but he kept going. What defines him is not the noise around him but how he responds when the world counts him out. Rodgers shows that when you stay true to yourself and keep showing up with consistency, your truth will outlast every lie.