Aaron Rodgers responded to criticism of his offseason activities during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.
The Green Bay Packers quarterback has faced backlash for engaging in a variety of non-football commitments during the offseason, which included a temporary hosting gig on Jeopardy! and a vacation to Hawaii with fiancée Shailene Woodley.
“It’s absolute horses–t to give a platform to people who have no idea what they’re talking about as far as my mental state and my focus, my work habits — people that have not been around me, that are not in my life, I don’t have communication with them or not in the locker room,” Rodgers said. “That’s just chickens–t. It’s so ridiculous that people get a platform to do this.”
Rodgers’ former teammate Jermichael Finley, who played tight end for the Packers from 2008 to 2013, was among his many critics.
“Bro, it’s the National Football League,” Finley told ESPN’s Keyshawn, JWill & Max last week. “Each offseason, you got to work like it’s your last season and I just don’t see a work ethic in Aaron Rodgers that I have in previous years.”
Rodgers appeared to fire back at him on Tuesday, saying, “I don’t think I need to defend myself to people who aren’t worth spending time on.”
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He added, “What’s crazy to me is to let one storyline, by a person who has no contact with me, zero relationship, that becomes some sort of narrative that’s out there, that now I somehow don’t care about ball because of my zen attitude during the offseason, that’s the bulls– that I was talking about.”
The nine-time Pro Bowler quieted critics on Monday in a 35-17 win over the Lions. He finished 22-of-27 with 255 yards and four touchdowns with zero turnovers.
