Aaron Rodgers has long been one of the most polarizing players in the entire NFL. But in recent years, his notoriety has risen a few levels, as he’s taken strong stances on political and social issues.
As he enters his final season in the NFL, he has made it a point to stick to his guns. On “The Pat McAfee Show” on Monday, August 3, the four-time NFL MVP went on a heated rant against the Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini scandal, and also had a few choice words for Dr. Anthony Fauci, prompting the Pittsburgh Steelers to play damage control.
Pittsburgh Steelers Give Aaron Rodgers His Platform
Over the last few years, the four-time MVP has become a regular on the “Pat McAfee Show.” From his future in the league to team drama, Rodgers has always put forward his opinions on a variety of matters.
This time around, his opinions may have landed the Steelers in a bit of trouble. After a fiery appearance in which he spoke passionately about a range of topics, a spokesperson had to clear the air about his views and their implications for the organization as a whole.
“Discussions around culture and politics can bring differing perspectives, and our players are entitled to their own personal views. With respect to that, I am certain there are a variety of opinions on many topics within our locker room,” Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten said via email to WTAE.
“I’m pleading the Fifth 😂😂
You’ve gotta be kidding me” ~ @AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/kg3y0uMxxR
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 3, 2026
Regarding the Vrabel-Russini controversy, the former Super Bowl champion said he believes it was a “major scandal” that could invite a lot of “tampering,” but it had received precious little real coverage given the names involved.
“You have literally an individual that used to work at ESPN that covers our league at the highest level, and there’s a major scandal, and it’s just, like, nobody can [expletive] talk about it,” Rodgers said.
“What are we even doing here? If it’s affecting certain things, if there’s leaks going on, if there’s tampering going on, if that person is also an MVP voter and a Coach of the Year voter. How are we allowing these people to have an impact?”
However, his vitriol wasn’t confined to just Vrabel and Russini, the latter of whom has already resigned from her position at The Athletic. Instead, he next turned his attention to Dr. Fauci, who was the former Chief Medical Advisor to the President of the United States.
When asked about his mindset for the 2026 season, he immediately responded, “I’m gonna plead the Fifth like that absolute coward, Tony Fauci. Absolute coward.” Going a step further, he went ballistic on Fauci.
“Are you kidding me? You got a pardon, and you pleaded [the Fifth] over 100 times?” Rodgers added. “What are you scared of, Tony? I thought you were the science. I thought you [were], ‘I am science.’ And you get up there, and you can’t answer a question?”
Rodgers, of course, has a bone to pick with when it comes to Dr. Fauci. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he lied about his immunization status and repeatedly violated league protocols, resulting in a $14,650 fine.
At the time, he claimed to have undergone homeopathic treatment against the disease, believing he had done his own research. Now, with Dr. Fauci being put through the wringer, it looks like Rodgers is taking great pleasure in his misfortune.
