Eyebrows have been raised when Michael McCarthy of Entrance Workplace Sports activities shared in an article revealed on Wednesday that NFL media companions presently have “surprisingly little curiosity” in hiring quarterback Aaron Rodgers as an on-air character, partly as a result of he is seen as “unbearable” and has “rubbed many members of the press the unsuitable method” over the previous handful of years.
Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio is amongst noteworthy members of the NFL group who’re skeptical Rodgers would not obtain at the very least some calls from networks each time he retires from enjoying.
“I don’t purchase the notion that nobody would need him,” Florio stated about Rodgers on Wednesday night. “The networks want scores, and Rodgers is attention-grabbing, even when he’s unbearable. Frankly, I’d relatively hear him converse candidly about what he sees than take heed to the overwhelming majority who tiptoe round telling the reality concerning the gamers, the coaches, the groups and/or the league as a result of they don’t wish to p— anybody off.”
Historical past reveals Florio is correct about networks craving the reactions Rodgers would spark throughout studio segments or as an in-game analyst. By all accounts, Fox has zero regrets about giving Tom Brady a 10-year, $375M deal to function a lead in-game commentator although followers and media insiders routinely ripped his performances this previous fall. Reality be advised, Brady producing headlines and attracting consideration from September by way of February by way of his calls of video games is precisely what Fox executives wished.
For an article up to date in January 2024, Richard Deitsch of The Athletic famous that Rodgers had already remodeled $1M whole from simply his appearances on “The Pat McAfee Present” as of that point. This previous February, The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand speculated {that a} huge title comparable to Rodgers may “be the subsequent $100M NFL TV analyst.”
Maybe incomes such a wage would assist persuade Rodgers to keep away from certain topics comparable to his views on COVID-19 vaccines, the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist assaults and American politics whereas talking throughout NFL broadcasts.
“If one of many conventional broadcast companions received’t rent Rodgers, somebody will — if he decides that he needs to speak about soccer after he’s performed enjoying it,” Florio added.
Rodgers seemingly needs to maintain enjoying by way of at the very least the 2025 season, however it sounds just like the 41-year-old may obtain a possibility to grow to be a full-time NFL media character as quickly as subsequent yr.
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