Aaron Rodgers finally resurfaced this week as he broke his silence on the personal issues affecting his NFL free agency decision, including a ‘serious’ romance.
The quarterback took to the Pat McAfee Show Thursday to address the speculation shrouding his NFL future as he provided a rare insight into his personal life.
‘I’ll set it all straight. From the jump, I’m in a different phase of my life, I’m 41 years old, I’m in a serious relationship, I have personal commitments I’ve made… and people in my inner circle battling difficult stuff. To make a commitment to a team is a big thing,’ the four-time MVP confessed.
Rodgers hit the free agency market after the New York Jets cut ties back in February following a disappointing 2024 campaign.
There had been great speculation over what the quarterback’s future could hold. It had been reported that Rodgers was holding out to land with a team with genuine postseason chances with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants all floated as options.
Meanwhile, retirement had also been mooted as another option for the 41-year-old after the Jets ended the season with a 5-12 record.
Aaron Rodgers finally resurfaced this week as he broke his silence amid NFL free agency
Rodgers hit the free agency market after the New York Jets cut ties back in February
Yet, even after two months of radio silence, the signal caller still didn’t have an answer. Rodgers did appear to suggest he was willing to play on but also refused to rule out the possibility of hanging his cleats up.
‘I told every single one of the teams, it ain’t about the money. I said I’ll play for $10M. Whatever,’ he said.
‘I’m open to anything and attached to nothing. Retirement could still be a possibility. Focus on personal life.’
The former Super Bowl champion maintained that he had no intention of holding any team ‘hostage’ as he claimed he had been continuously candid with NFL franchises about his private life.
He insisted that he had been upfront during discussions with teams about the current non-football related issues dictating his attention.
Rodgers confirmed that he had held a ‘great conversation’ with Giants head coach Brian Daboll, who he described as having a ‘beautiful football mind.’
The NFL veteran also admitted to having worked out with the Steelers as he revealed he hasn’t closed off a path to Pittsburgh just yet.
‘This entire time, I haven’t felt like I owed anybody a decision at any point,’ Rodgers insisted.
Retirement had been mooted as an option for Rodgers after the Jets finished 5-12 in 2024
Rodgers’ last relationship was with actress Shailene Woodley, with the pair splitting in 2022
He previously dated some other high-profile figures, including ex-racing driver Danica Patrick
‘I’ve said listen, if you need to move on and do something, love and respect. But there’s been no deadline. I’ve talked to Mike T many times.’
Rodgers is notoriously tight-lipped on his private life but did reveal back in December that he had found love.
He told McAfee and the rest of the crew that he has a new girlfriend named Brittani, though he did not go into any further details on who she is or how they met.
Rodgers was discussing buying Christmas presents for loved ones when he casually dropped in that he is dating again.
‘I was a little bit worried because there was one package left for my girlfriend Brittani that hadn’t showed up yet, so I’d been waiting on this to show up,’ he said on ESPN’s daily sports talk show. ‘It showed up today so everything is great now.’
After laughing off a joke from a member of the crew that he’s dating Britney Spears, Rodgers confirmed that his girlfriend’s name is the version spelt with an ‘i’.
He revealed that his new love interest is not on any social-media channels after joking that she probably doesn’t watch McAfee’s show despite being a fan of the ESPN host.
Rodgers’ last public relationship was with actress Shailene Woodley , with the pair going their separate ways in 2022 after two years together.
Prior to his romance with Woodley he dated some high-profile figures in former racing car driver Danica Patrick and another actress in Olivia Munn.
More to follow.
