New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh insisted earlier this week nobody within the organization "really cares" that quarterback Aaron Rodgers discusses topics such as COVID-19 vaccine conspiracy theories during weekly appearances on "The Pat McAfee Show."
Jets beat reporter Brian Costello of the New York Post offered more information on the subject for a piece published Wednesday night.
"Inside the team, there are those who applaud Rodgers for having the guts to challenge the mainstream media," Costello explained. "There are plenty of people who agree with his view on COVID and vaccines but would never say so publicly out of fear of the backlash."
Some within the NFL community ripped Rodgers for being "attention-hungry" and hypocritical after the future Hall of Famer who said this past Monday that the "bull---- that has nothing to do with winning has to get out of the (Jets') building" used his segment on Tuesday's edition of McAfee's program to speak about controversial matters not at all related to the team or his recovery from the torn Achilles he suffered on Sept. 11.
McAfee revealed on Wednesday that Rodgers will not appear on the show during the NFL playoffs. The retired punter later took to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, to say he hopes Rodgers "chooses to still chat with us" at some point after the postseason tournament ends.
"Though they are not against him speaking out, there probably is some relief inside of the team offices that Rodgers won’t be back on 'McAfee' for a while after Tuesday’s appearance," Costello added. "He is expected to be back on the show next year, where he surely will make more headlines. As for Rodgers' teammates, most of them don’t...pay attention to what Rodgers says."
Interestingly, Rodgers returned to McAfee's show on Thursday afternoon:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 11, 2024
Joining us NOW @AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/KjkqSUWON6
"Bill Belichick loves the game of football..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 11, 2024
We played him in 2018 and 2022 and both times he waited to make sure that he saw me after the game..
I have so much respect for him doing that and it's one of the classiest things ever" @AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/C1DqqjsC3p
There's no indication Jets owner Woody Johnson, general manager Joe Douglas, Saleh or anybody else associated with the organization will ask Rodgers to either no longer appear on "The Pat McAfee Show" or limit what he discusses during segments. Whether or not Rodgers will decide that addressing certain issues via McAfee's program "has nothing to do with winning" shall be seen.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!