Aaron Rodgers isn’t clamoring for attention; rather, he ensures there are reasons for everyone to talk about him. After three months of media silence, he chose to break his silence just a week before the NFL Draft, confirming he is yet to decide his playing future. Joining The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN, Rodgers expressed that while retirement is a possibility, he hasn’t ruled out playing either.
He didn’t provide any new insights regarding his future, but the polarizing quarterback was strategic enough to insert his name back into the headlines as the NFL Draft approaches. While some may view this as attention-seeking, Rodgers, in discussing his offseason visit to the Pittsburgh Steelers with McAfee, seemed perplexed by such accusations.
“Obviously I went out to Pittsburgh and I have a lot of respect for Mike Tomlin..
I’m a big fan of Arthur Smith and I like what he’s all about..
It was nice to go into the city and I enjoyed talking to Mike Tomlin” ~ @AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/nTxyHyywWs
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 17, 2025
“Obviously I went out to Pittsburgh and tried to do that as quietly as possible,” Rodgers remarked. “You know, a lot of people think that I’m desperate for attention even though I haven’t talked to you or anybody else in three months.” It’s curious that Rodgers, who claims not to seek attention, attempted to avoid media scrutiny by flying into a different airport and driving a Chevy Malibu to the Steelers facility. Surely, an attention-seeking quarterback wouldn’t go to such lengths to play games with the media.
While taking over three months to decide his playing future could easily be interpreted as a bid for attention, the 41-year-old quarterback asserts his indecision stems from assisting others through personal issues. We might choose to give him the benefit of the doubt here. However, one must question the integrity of his claim when examining his ongoing media confrontations and critiques of NFL insiders, even those who have been correct in their predictions. Is it truly avoiding attention when he continues to appear on The Pat McAfee Show every Tuesday after his Achilles tear, hinting at an improbable recovery? What about his involvement in a Netflix documentary and attempts to steer public discourse into discussions about COVID-19? And last year’s consideration of being Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vice-presidential running mate? Surely none of that was about seeking attention.
Even when he believes he’s not seeking it, Rodgers often finds himself in attention-grabbing situations. His covert meeting with the Steelers was hardly a stealth mission, failing to evade media scrutiny, and he still celebrates his choice of a rental car as if it were a success in avoiding the limelight. There’s nothing inherently wrong with seeking attention, and Rodgers excels at making headlines. However, he should be candid about his motives instead of pretending to lead a life of anonymity.
