Eyebrows had been raised when Michael McCarthy of Entrance Workplace Sports activities shared in an article printed on Wednesday that NFL media companions presently have “surprisingly little curiosity” in hiring quarterback Aaron Rodgers as an on-air persona, partly as a result of he is seen as “unbearable” and has “rubbed many members of the press the flawed means” over the previous handful of years.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio is amongst noteworthy members of the NFL neighborhood who’re skeptical Rodgers would not obtain not less than some calls from networks each time he retires from enjoying.
“I don’t purchase the notion that nobody would need him,” Florio mentioned about Rodgers on Wednesday night. “The networks need scores, and Rodgers is attention-grabbing, even when he’s unbearable. Frankly, I’d fairly hear him communicate candidly about what he sees than take heed to the overwhelming majority who tiptoe round telling the reality in regards to the gamers, the coaches, the groups and/or the league as a result of they don’t wish to p— anybody off.”
Historical past exhibits Florio is true about networks craving the reactions Rodgers would spark throughout studio segments or as an in-game analyst. By all accounts, Fox has zero regrets about giving Tom Brady a 10-year, $375M deal to function a lead in-game commentator despite the fact that followers and media insiders routinely ripped his performances this previous fall. Reality be informed, Brady producing headlines and attracting consideration from September via February through his calls of video games is strictly what Fox executives wished.
For an article up to date in January 2024, Richard Deitsch of The Athletic famous that Rodgers had already remodeled $1M whole from simply his appearances on “The Pat McAfee Present” as of that point. This previous February, The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand speculated {that a} massive identify equivalent to Rodgers might “be the following $100M NFL TV analyst.”
Maybe incomes such a wage would assist persuade Rodgers to keep away from certain topics equivalent to his views on COVID-19 vaccines, the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist assaults and American politics whereas talking throughout NFL broadcasts.
“If one of many conventional broadcast companions received’t rent Rodgers, somebody will — if he decides that he desires to speak about soccer after he’s finished enjoying it,” Florio added.
Rodgers seemingly desires to maintain enjoying via not less than the 2025 season, but it surely sounds just like the 41-year-old might obtain a chance to grow to be a full-time NFL media persona as quickly as subsequent yr.
