Aaron Rodgers has led the Green Bay Packers to the brink of the NFL playoffs against all odds but the four-time MVP has been slammed for his recent comments.
After possessing a 4-8 record, Rodgers and the Packers have won four straight matches to control their postseason destiny. On Sunday, his team welcome the Detroit Lions to Green Bay in a match where either side could snatch a place in the playoffs with a win.
Ahead of the crucial season-defining clash, Rodgers spoke about the history of late-season playoff pushes across his career and hailed the number of memories he has made at Lambeau Field. The 39-year-old - who is signed to the most lucrative annual deal in NFL history - hopes to pull off another miracle to keep alive his hopes of winning a second Super Bowl title.
Sports personality Stephen A. Smith has been a long-term supporter of Rodgers, but he was particularly incensed during his appearance on ESPN’s First Take on Thursday. Smith took issue with Rodgers’ demeanour amid what has ultimately been a disappointing season for the Packers, who had high expectations entering 2022.
“Aaron Rodgers is starting to get on my damn nerves,” Smith said on ESPN’s First Take. “He really is. I’m starting to get annoyed with him.
“Let me get this straight: most of this season, y’all play like garbage. Most of this season, you look like a shell of yourself. Most of this season, we’ve been waiting to see that bad man that I’ve been bragging about for more than a decade and most of this season.
“After going 4-8, you win four straight and you have a playoff berth on the line against the Detroit Lions after signing a contract where you’re going to get around $50 million a year - your bag is secured for the future - and we’re sitting here with a playoff berth on the line and you’re talking saying: ‘Well, I might be here…make some nice memories…’
“That’s some BS right there, Aaron Rodgers. That’s nonsense, to hell with all of that. I don’t want to hear a damn thing about his epitaph; he’s going to the Hall of Fame, he’s one of the best quarterbacks and the greatest talent I’ve ever seen at the quarterback position.
“The bottom line is this: you played like garbage for half the season and now, with a playoff berth on the line, we’re going to have a conversation about how the memory was nice? Shut the hell up.”
The impassioned Smith added: “Aaron Rodgers has not thrown for over 300 yards in one single game this year. Not one. You ain’t been to a Super Bowl since 2010. Handle your business. Beat the Detroit Lions.”
Rodgers is the defending back-to-back MVP and has thrown for 3,490 yards and 20 touchdowns this season against 11 interceptions - his most since 2010. Rodgers’ Packers will look to book their ticket to the postseason with a win over the Lions at Lambeau Field on Sunday night.
