Ian Rapoport provides new details on Aaron Rodgers talks with Jets about 'Pat McAfee Show' appearances

Thursday, the New York Jets made it official by announcing they are moving on from Aaron Rodgers. The decision came after conversations between the two sides, and The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported the Jets told Rodgers to stop his appearances on The Pat McAfee Show.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, that discussion wasn’t so simple. While Rodgers’ regular spots with McAfee were mentioned, the Jets didn’t necessarily ask him to stop them.

Rapoport shared more details of the talks between Rodgers and the Jets Thursday night as the franchise moves in a new direction at quarterback. The conversation about McAfee’s show wasn’t so much about stopping Rodgers’ appearances, though, but rather using “discretion” when he joins. It was also part of a bigger discussion about being more present around the organization.

From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: No, the #Jets did not release Aaron Rodgers because he refused to stop doing the @PatMcAfeeShow. They never asked him to stop and didn't view it as a distraction. The final decision was far more collective. pic.twitter.com/A0N5A3FulJ

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 14, 2025

“My understanding, though, is this was really the product of several conversations with the Jets and Rodgers,” Rapoport said on The Insiders. “And from what I am told, there was no ultimatums made to him. It wasn’t like, and I know there was a report the Jets don’t want Aaron Rodgers to do the Pat McAfee Show and if he agrees not to, then we’ll bring him back. It wasn’t like that. First of all, I don’t think the Jets really care that he’s on the Pat McAfee Show, honestly. It probably just affects the PR department. It doesn’t really affect anyone else. It’s New York, there are plenty of distractions elsewhere. It was really more like, ‘Well, if you go on that, could you maybe use a little more discretion?’ They can’t tell him to show up to OTAs. That’s not allowed. But it’s like, ‘We’d like you to be around more.’

“And it really seemed like, over the course of several discussions [with] Aaron Glenn, the new head coach, and Darren Mougey and Aaron Rodgers, all became clear, this was just not the direction to go. I think by the time they had Aaron Rodgers come to New Jersey and really talk face-to-face, it was clear from both sides – both sides – that this was not going to work. So they are all moving on. … We’ll see where Aaron Rodgers lands, if he lands.”

The “Aaron Rodgers Tuesdays” spots on The Pat McAfee Show have become a big topic of discussion around the NFL since they started in 2019. The show is currently on a break following Super Bowl LIX, and Rodgers will now get ready to decide the next steps of his football life after the Jets announced their plans to part ways.