Mike McCarthy has joked about Aaron Rodgers returning to the Pat McAfee Show after the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback’s recent explosive interview.
McCarthy appeared on the programme following Pittsburgh’s 28-9 preseason win over the Green Bay Packers, where McAfee brought Rodgers into the conversation.
Rodgers had already made headlines on the show earlier this month after discussing Dr Anthony Fauci and drawing comparisons with the scrutiny he faced over his vaccination status during his Green Bay days.
Mike McCarthy jokes about Aaron Rodgers returning to Pat McAfee’s show
McAfee asked McCarthy whether he planned on ‘playing Aaron Rodgers ever’, referencing Rodgers’ recent comments about preseason football not being real football.
McCarthy responded with a laugh, turning the question towards Rodgers’ previous appearance instead.
‘Well, hell, just put him on your show again. Jesus Christ!’ McCarthy said. ‘I thought we were on the same team here.’
The joke was a clear reference to Rodgers’ August 3 appearance, when the veteran quarterback was asked about the upcoming season and whether he was thinking about life after football.
Instead of focusing on retirement, Rodgers launched into a discussion about Fauci and a recent congressional hearing. He also questioned why the media had devoted so much attention to his vaccination status while he was with the Green Bay Packers.
‘How much time did they spend on my responses every week, on my vaccination status, on Taylor and Travis’ wedding?’ Rodgers said.
‘Did they do even a minute? Did they do even a minute on Tony Fauci?’
The comments prompted the Steelers’ Senior Director of Communications Burt Lauten to defend the players’ right to hold their own views.
McCarthy took a similar approach when asked about the controversy, making it clear that his priority was keeping the focus on football.
‘These are grown men,’ McCarthy said. ‘They all have different opinions. There’s no question about that. At the end of the day, my job is to keep it about football.’
Meanwhile, Rodgers did not play in Pittsburgh’s preseason victory over Green Bay. McCarthy explained that the Steelers wanted to spread opportunities across their quarterback room, with three other quarterbacks also needing game action.
That decision means the questions around Rodgers will continue into the regular season. For now, though, McCarthy appears happy to laugh off the noise surrounding his veteran quarterback, even if another trip to McAfee’s studio could bring plenty more headlines.
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