Aaron Rodgers has a new fan base to win over after joining the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason, but he has already rubbed many fans the wrong way. The quarterback’s long periods of silence and apparent hesitancy to join the team left many questioning his commitment.
In addition to his passive approach before signing, several media personalities have expressed frustration with his contrarian nature. Legendary Steelers linebacker James Harrison is the latest to throw shade at Rodgers, calling out the quarterback’s character during an episode of Nightcap.
Steelers Legend James Harrison Rips Aaron Rodgers, Laughs Off Ben Roethlisberger Comparison
Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe and legendary wide receiver Chad Johnson have recently taken a break from their podcast. In their place, Johnson’s longtime Bengals teammate T.J. Houshmandzadeh has been hosting the show with special guests.
The June 27 episode featured Harrison, who won two Super Bowls with the Steelers in the 2000s. Harrison was asked whether he believed Rodgers’ claim that he would “disappear” after his football career. The former linebacker said he didn’t know Rodgers personally but doubted the sincerity of the statement.
Houshmandzadeh then asked how Rodgers compared to Ben Roethlisberger, who led Pittsburgh to both of Harrison’s playoff victories. Harrison laughed off the comparison and called out Rodgers for character traits he said Roethlisberger didn’t have.
“No comparison,” he said. “From what I get from the media, with Aaron, Ben is nowhere near there. The caliber of over-the-top-ness, and calling guys out, and throwing cats under the bus, coaches and all. I just didn’t get that from Ben.”
Rodgers’ two years with the New York Jets were defined by his devastating Achilles injury, which ended his 2023 season after just four snaps. His apparent influence over the organization also defined them. The team signed players like Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb, and Davante Adams, all of whom were Rodgers’ go-to receivers during his time with the Green Bay Packers.
Rodgers’ subpar performance earned a C- grade in PFSN’s QB+ metrics, ranking him between Las Vegas Raiders’ Aidan O’Connell and Los Angeles Rams’ Matthew Stafford.
His 2024 season also saw the dismissal of both general manager Joe Douglas and head coach Robert Saleh. Saleh, the Jets’ defensive mastermind, led one of the NFL’s top defenses. He was fired after a one-score loss to the Minnesota Vikings, a game in which Rodgers threw three interceptions.
Saleh’s dismissal came as a surprise. Many believed Rodgers had pushed for the move, a claim he later denied.