"Complete ridiculousness": When Aaron Rodgers shut down 'fake' rumors suggesting rift with Packers HC Matt LaFleur
Aaron Rodgers doesn't hesitate to voice his views. However, he is also said to have had disagreements with his teammates and coaches, Mike McCarthy and Brett Favre. Although Rodgers has rejected such speculations, he has flatly denied one.
The incident in reference happened in 2019 when A-Rod took issue with joint practices during the preseason games. Though coach Matt LaFleur said he had no issues with such events, news outlets printed it as a sign of beef between the two. Speaking to NFL FB John Kuhn on Packers.com in Aug. 2019, Rodgers said:
“It’s fake news, John.”
He added:
“We don’t need to spend any time talking about it because it’s complete ridiculousness.”
Aaron Rodgers criticises media outlets for clickbait news
A-Rod criticized the publications for their ignorant behavior while calling the reports “clickbait” and “outside noise.”
“That’s the media cycle these days. Unfortunately, the media — other than obviously yourself — there’s a lack of integrity, I think. There’s a rush to put up headlines that are clickbait because the ad revenue is based on the amount of visits you get to your website,” A-Rod said.
Interestingly, he understands why the publications indulge in such behavior. He pointed it out during the same interview.
“So instead of putting in a title that aptly fits the forthcoming article, it’s more lucrative to post something that’s going to generate the most commotion so that your site or your story gets the most hits possible," A-Rod added. "And when you’re in a really low news cycle like in June and July when there’s not much football going on, that’s the kind of stuff that comes out.”
Things didn’t remain the same over the next few months. Despite Rodgers signing a $150 million, four-year deal, he received a shock at the 2020 NFL draft when the Packers drafted QB Jordan Love as the 26th overall pick.
It was shocking as the Packers required support at other positions but still went for a QB. However, Matt LaFleur later defended the call while proclaiming Love as the best option available among the lot. As expected, Rodgers was lost with the news.
“I looked down at my phone, and my agent just texted me: ‘Quarterback.’ And I was like, ‘No f—— way.’” Rodgers said in the Netflix Enigma documentary.
Rodgers was familiar with the play from his time on the bench under Brett Favre in 2007; now it was his turn. So, while A-Rod did his hardest to win back-to-back NFL MVP awards in 2020 and 2021, it wasn't enough.