Aaron Rodgers pulled off the impossible.
In a world of countless TV channels, social media, expanding streaming services and other platforms the Free World has yet to discover, he generated a weekly must-see, nearly hour-long TV platform, on Pat McAfee’s ESPN show.
All this content from an active NFL player, albeit one who sat out the Jets 2023 season recovering from a torn Achilles.
To say the least, Rodgers kept things interesting from 1:05 p.m. to just before 2 p.m. on Tuesdays. And when the dust from Rodgers’ latest “controversy” sort of settled, even his pal, McAfee, ESPN’s latest High Exalted Ruler, breathed a sigh of relief.
It was McAfee who made the then-Green Bay quarterback a regular (during the NFL season) paid (to the tune of $1 million) “guest” on his show four years ago. Now it was McAfee who sounded worn out after dealing with Rodgers’ Jimmy Kimmel tango and the politics of ESPN.
McAfee, on Wednesday, said the 4th season of Aaron Rodgers was over. “…There’s going to be a lot of people happy with that.” McAfee said. “Myself included. To be honest the way it ended it got real loud.”
While Rodgers’ ESPN segments were already scheduled to end whenever the Jets season expired, the TV benching of the Jets QB (he did make a Thursday cameo appearance on the show to discuss the departures of Nick Saban and Bill Belichick) is still extremely disappointing. In the copycat, often predictable world of sports media, Rodgers’ spontaneity and plain-spoken, edgy analysis would have been welcome throughout the NFL playoffs. It would have been something to look forward to.
No matter if Rodgers veered off course into some of his non-sports opinions, or “conspiracy theories,” or whatever you want to call them. The distractions were more than a reasonable tradeoff for his football insights. That’s the payoff. Or at least it should be.
Judging by the reaction he generates, people who love Rodgers can’t wait to hear what he says. And people who hate him can’t wait to hear what he says.
Rodgers also provides a long runway for the media to express itself. In one sentence on ESPN Radio, NFL reporter Dan Graziano guillotined Rodgers, calling him “a liar” and “a narcissistic con artist.”
Step right up and react. Believe it or not, some of the flummoxed ESPN suits who Rodgers, and McAfee, have turned into punching bags had something to say, even putting words in Rodgers’ mouth.
Unfortunately, unless the execs are judging on pure talent, this “other stuff” could hinder Rodgers’ future if he’s eyeballing any type of NFL-related media work whenever he decides to retire.
If he’s not already scared some of these suits away, Rodgers should be a prime candidate for the booth or studio. He also has the ability to create his own signature platform.
Considering the vanilla state of NFL broadcast booths, Rodgers would bring major buzz to any network or streaming service that hired him. His singular style, and Hall of Fame credentials, should smooth his path to the booth.
Unless NFL TV suits are already constructing roadblocks.
THE BRADY EFFECT
There are talking quarterbacks all over the place.
On the recent episode of CW’s “Inside the NFL,” former QB Jay Cutler had one of his finest moments while explaining why Chicago should keep Justin Fields and trade its No.1 draft pick.
It made us wonder if Fox Sports will get strong opinions out of Tom Brady, who is scheduled to become the Foxies No.1 NFL analyst next season?
Will Brady’s role expand beyond the booth? Will he appear on FS1 “debate” shows? Fox also could work him in to it Sunday morning pregame offerings. In these venues, Brady could have a direct influence on ratings.
NBC’S STREAM TEAM
Roger Goodell, and the NFL owners, are worthy targets for their decision to sell Saturday night (Jan. 13) Super Wildcard Weekend Dolphins-Chiefs matchup to Peacock streaming service for $110 million. That made the game a pay-per-subscription event for you, the fan.
Question: Why did the NFL’s other TV partners, Fox, CBS and ESPN not only roll over, allowing a playoff game to be streamed but didn’t bite back at the NFL when it allowed NBC, which owns Peacock, to air THREE Supe Wild Card Weekend games while the three other networks air one each?
Most likely, the NFL’s other TV partners didn’t want to cough up $110 mil, even for Patrick Mahomes (and Taylor Swift) Saturday night in prime time.
Yet now that they’ve let one streamer into the playoff mix, there will be no turning back.
BILL’S EXIT
The Fox crew covering Patriots-Jets last Sunday successfully captured history as it was being made by Bill Belichick.
Fox’s cameras stayed focused on Belichick as he left the field in what turned out to be his last game as coach of the Patriots.
Viewers saw the coach taking off his headset then moving on to find Robert Saleh. There was a brief hug and then he moved to a longer exchange with Aaron Rodgers. The Foxies followed Belichick into the tunnel until he was out of sight.
Fox’s exit coverage was well worth waiting for.
AROUND THE DIAL
This feud between Stephen A. Smith and Jason Whitlock is uncomfortable to follow. It’s cringe inducing. Evidently, each man is thinking more about himself than those who choose to consume this vitriol. … For the NBA, the season-ending shoulder injury to Ja Morant couldn’t come at a worse time. With Adam Silver negotiating a new national TV contract, the NBA needs all its superstars participating to juice current TV ratings. Without Morant, the NBA has lost a ratings magnet. … The best, immediate, coverage of Nick Saban’s retirement from Alabama came via the SEC Network’s “The Paul Finebaum Show.” Finebaum and his staff presented a non-stop parade of reporters who cover the SEC and college football in general. They provided instant insight. … The departure of Don (Wink) Martindale played out more like a missing person report than merely a defensive coordinator being let go by the Giants. It did come with some media passion. On the notion that Martindale was leaking to some Giants reporters, an irate Russ Salzberg, on his YES podcast, said: “What Wink did is high treason. You’re undermining your organization, you’re undermining your coach, you’re undermining your general manager and you’re undermining your owner….” Guess Salzy is not expecting Wink and Giants brass to be exchanging thank-you notes. … In a compelling 30 minutes of Thursday radio, Christopher (Mad Dog) Russo and Norman Julius Esiason went shtickless on SiriusXM. Nothing but football talk. Reminded us of many moons ago when the Gasbags had a syndicated pigskin program on Westwood One.
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DUDE OF THE WEEK: DARKO RAJAKOVIC
For caring about the NBA’s regular season. After losing 132-131 to the Lakers Tuesday, Toronto’s coach ripped refs and the league for the disparity in free throws. The Lakers went to the line 36 times; Toronto 13. In the 4th quarter, L.A. shot 23 FT’s while the Raptors a measly two. If Rajakovic didn’t care he wouldn’t have wigged.
DWEEB OF THE WEEK: JAMEIS WINSTON
For running up the score. The Saints QB ignored his coach and ran a play out of victory formation against the Falcons. Winston said his motive was righteous (he wanted to get Jamaal Williams his first TD of the season), but no matter how he spins it, this was poor sportsmanship. Very NFLish.
DOUBLE TALK
What JJ Redick said: “This is not a knock on the intelligence of anyone in sports media. The basketball intellect is different.”
What JJ Redick meant to say: “This is a knock on sports media intelligence. Don’t you know I invented the game of basketball?
