Pat McAfee Finally Responds to Rumors That Aaron Rodgers Was Fired by the New York Jets Because of His Appearances on His Show

Finally, Pat McAfee has addressed the claims that his friendship with Aaron Rodgers was a major factor in the quarterback’s decision to leave the New York Jets.

After spending a dismal two years with the Jets before being judged surplus to needs by new head coach Aaron Glenn earlier this month, Rodgers was dismissed by the team and is now heading to free agency.

However, rumors about the breakup did not center on the 41-year-old’s inability to guide the team to the playoffs this season following his recovery from an Achilles rupture the previous season.

Rather, what sparked concern were the NFL veteran’s weekly appearances on McAfee’s own ESPN program.

While talking about Rodgers’ possible future in Florham Park, New Jersey, Dianna Russini of The Athletic stated that the Jets asked him to stop appearing on the show in order for him to rejoin the team for the upcoming season.

Pat McAfee talks about Aaron Rodgers rumors around his show

During Friday’s broadcast, McAfee talked about the Jets’ alleged ultimatum, which was also refuted by general manager Darren Mougey at the NFL combine earlier this week.

A frustrated McAfee expressed shock at the report, saying:

‘I was so uncomfortable I was like, “come on.” This guy’s career? A billion dollar industry?’ 

‘Then he [Mougey] had to come out and address it at the combine. There was no ultimatum made about Aaron coming back,’ the former punter insisted. 

‘They have a vision of what they want their team to look like. They will take the dead cap hit and continue to build that. Aaron Glenn and Mougey got hired to do that with the Jets. We assumed that was going to be the case. 

‘I think Aaron [Rodgers] was hoping for an opportunity to make it right with Jets fans and the Jets organization, and bring a long a young quarterback but I don’t think that was ever reality in my eyes.’

With Rodgers gone, the Jets will have to spend $49 million in dead money as Glenn, the new head coach, attempts to turn around the struggling team. The four-time MVP’s future in the game is uncertain at this point.

The post Pat McAfee Finally Responds to Rumors That Aaron Rodgers Was Fired by the New York Jets Because of His Appearances on His Show appeared first on BlackSportsOnline.