Aaron Rodgers gave his nod to the Pittsburgh Steelers last month. The legendary quarterback has joined the franchise on a one-year deal. The move marks his third NFL team after spending the first 18 seasons of hiwith the Green Bay Packers and the past two years with the New York Jets.
A former NFL scout shared his opinion on the four-time NFL MVP’s personality as Rodgers gears up for his 21st season in the NFL.
Ex-NFL Scout Drops Blunt Take on Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers’ behavior has often sparked debates and speculations about his personality. He skipped early offseason work in 2021 while butting heads with the Packers’ front office. He also missed one of the Jets’ minicamps for a vacation to Egypt.
Netflix released the docuseries “Aaron Rodgers: Enigma” in December last year, giving fans a closer look at the quarterback’s complex personality. Ex-NFL scout
John Middlekauff shared his thoughts about the Super Bowl XLV champion during an episode of his “3 and Out” podcast.
“We all have issues. One thing I see a lot from my generation is the trauma we all had,” Middlekauff said. “Being a parent is hard. Most parents try their hardest. There’s no handbook to do any of this for the most part… Some people just kind of grow out of phases or can figure things out, like, holding on to this anger and this chip on my shoulder is something that’s not going to be that healthy.”
“There is a chip on Aaron Rodgers’ shoulder… Still be harboring this energy towards his childhood. You kind of feel it… He’s this troubled soul who really likes himself some Aaron Rodgers.”
Middlekauff went on to discuss his takeaway from watching the docuseries.
“My takeaway watching this was like I just have a hard time seeing Tom [Brady] or Peyton [Manning] kind of act like this,” he added. “And a huge element of it is, you know, part of this was shot, it’s, he’s single, no family, no kids, obviously doesn’t talk to his family.”
“Just feels like he’s kind of a lost soul with no family to lean on. And I do think as you age, as you get older, especially if you have the amount of disposable income, which you have in Aaron Rodgers’ situation, they have nothing to lean on.”
Middlekauf said that family members are the only people who have some humility in your life when you are as famous as him. They can say things nobody else can, and once children are there, you are living for someone else.
“And you’re just watching Aaron Rodgers, you’re like, ‘This guy feels kind of like a lost soul.’ A huge ego who’s just a lost soul,” he said.
Middlekauff’s words are way different from some other opinions about Rodgers we’ve heard this week. Jets running back Breece Hall called the Steelers QB a very misunderstood person. Hall added that one can realize how good of a person Rodgers is once they really get to know him.
MACC Fund CEO and President Becky Pinter also sees Rodgers as approachable. The 41-year-old has helped the organization raise $2.5 million in the last 15 years.
Beyond this, Rodgers is set to begin a new journey in the NFL with the Steelers. He signed a one-year deal worth $13.65 million. The contract includes $10 million in guaranteed money, and he could earn as much as $19.5 million. Adam Schefter reported that Pittsburgh’s new quarterback has $5.85 million in playing time and team-performance incentives in the contract.
