He will undoubtedly profess otherwise, but Aaron Rodgers loves the adulation he gets for being a star NFL quarterback. And I mean, he loves it. Even while he maintains situations like Hard Knocks are something he doesn’t appreciate, his words seem empty.
The man simply loves being the center of attention, and he loves to pretend that he doesn’t.
Case in point, a recent Hard Knocks teaser. It features Rodgers being urged to say something to the New York Jets quarterback room. At first, he says he’s “got nothing” before going on a short tangent about appreciating the moment, how time flies and how it feels to be an elder statesman in the sport, etc., etc. etc.
If that doesn’t capture the delicate tug and pull Rodgers tries to channel as a star who “hates” the extra scrutiny he gets, I don’t know what does.
"Savor every little moment."
Wise words from @AaronRodgers12 starting year 19. #HardKnocks pic.twitter.com/oUHFhaNsEN
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) July 31, 2023
Something tells me this isn’t the last of Rodgers putting up a front in New York. I am quite comfortable asserting the future Hall of Famer will continue to put up an act about how modest he is and what’s important to him at this stage of his career — insert hollow platitudes here — before trying to run away with the spotlight.