While Pat McAfee says he’s unclear about Aaron Rodgers’ decision, the former NFL player believes the quarterback could be walking away from his playing career.
As the 39-year-old Rodgers keeps the public waiting for his next career move — which could be a potential trade to the Jets — McAfee shared a PSA on his YouTube show Tuesday, explaining that he has no information about Rodgers.
“I think he’s a human being who could retire,” McAfee said. “And this isn’t any information, but it’s the real deal.
“He’s a guy who could look at $58 million and withdraw because he would see it as, ‘My happiness is not money.’
“So I think in that respect, if she felt like she was happier without the stress of football, I think she would be a person who could give that up and be completely calm and move on. That’s hanging out with her once in Lake Tahoe and realizing that she’s a hippie royal mom.” .
However, McAfee said he is unsure about Rodgers’ playing future.
“The Aaron Rodgers situation has not yet been publicly addressed at this time,” McAfee said. “I don’t know privately.
“Will an answer come soon? We have no idea…but that’s not necessarily going to come from this particular program today. What we’re saying is, we have no idea either. Same place as yesterday, same place as Friday.
“We’d like everybody to know that, because I know a lot of people are tuning in, going, ‘Is this Aaron Rodgers Tuesday?'”
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers after the game against the Minnesota Vikings on January 1, 2023 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
McAfee explained that he is staying “hands off” on the matter and not “poking, poking or prodding” Rodgers about his decision.
“You live your life, mate,” McAfee said of Rodgers. “If you feel the need, or want to talk to us about it, feel free; if not, do your own thing.
“We’re happy for Aaron, if Aaron is happy with Aaron.”
Rodgers was expected to announce his decision on “The Pat McAfee Show,” the only media outlet where the quarterback talks in-depth about his NFL career.
Pat McAfee and Aaron Rodgers McAfee, a former NFL player, have been close friends with Rodgers since their first meeting in 2019 at a charity golf event in the Bahamas.Twitter/ESPN/ManningCast/Pat McAfee
They have been close friends with McAfee Rodgers since their first meeting at a charity golf event in the Bahamas in 2019.
Rodgers has not appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” since Feb. 14.
It was his last appearance on the program before entering a “dark retreat” at Sky Cave Retreats in Klamath County, Oregon, which involved spending multiple days in a room with no light.
At the time, Rodgers told McAfee that he had committed to the isolation retreat to help him decide his NFL future and “get a better sense of where I’m at in my life.”
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks to throw a pass against the Lions at Lambeau Field on January 8, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Getty Images
Rodgers could decide to return to the Packers for a 19th season, ask for a trade or retire for good.
The four-time NFL MVP said on “The Pat McAfee Show” that he considered retirement before returning to Green Bay for the 2022-23 season.
All eyes are on Rodgers, as any trade will become official at the start of the new league year on March 15 at 4 p.m.
The Jets believe they are on the verge of trading Rodgers after a meeting with the quarterback last Tuesday.
Jets brass – including owner Woody Johnson, vice president and co-owner Christopher Johnson, general manager Joe Douglas, head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett – took a private jet to California to meet with Rodgers as they search for the veteran quarterback.
The Packers had to give the Jets permission to talk to Rodgers, who said a trade out of Green Bay — this one that spanned his entire 18-year career — wouldn’t offend him.
The Jets seem to be pulling out all the stops to land Rodgers.
First, Hackett, Rodgers’ former offensive coordinator, was hired by Green Bay in January, and now they are reportedly targeting free agents close to the quarterback.
Rodgers has given the Jets a list of free agents they would like to target and acquire, according to ESPN’s Diana Russini, including his Packers teammates Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard and Marcedes Lewis, as well as Odell Beckham Jr.
The Jets are actively working toward a deal with Lazard, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday.
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers walks off the field after defeating the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 25, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Getty Images
Rodgers has $110 million left on the contract extension he signed with Green Bay last spring.
He is due $59.5 million in guaranteed money this year and another $49.25 million in 2024.
The Jets and Packers remain in compensation and contract talks.