Aaron Rodgers recently went on “The Pat McAfee Show” and critiqued the current analysts on ESPN and other networks. He highlighted how both former players and those who never took the field try to stay relevant with their controversial takes.
The New York Jets quarterback said these things did not happen during the start of his career. He especially focused on players who did not have a good football career and labeled their views as “unfounded or asinine.”
Ryan Clark, who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and currently works for ESPN, objected to Rodgers’ comments.
Ryan Clark Went Off on Aaron Rodgers for Calling Out Analysts
During his rant on ESPN’s “First Take,” Clark highlighted how Rodgers himself is getting paid to say things like an analyst on McAfee’s show. He added that the four-time NFL MVP is “one of the best and most talented quarterbacks to ever play this game,” but since he is no longer playing at an elite level, Rodgers has a problem with people who call him out for his performances.
“My issue with him is you’re doing the exact same thing,” Clark said. “This dude is once again tone-deaf. This dude is once again unaware. This dude is once again arrogant to a point that’s almost sickening because he says these things, and he talks tough, and he behaves in this way, but he ain’t right.”
Clark added, “This dude is a fraud; he’s been a fraud. He could throw a football, and that’s where it stops. Once that talent ends, so does him. So, to sit up there and to be just blatantly hypocritical is funny and sickening at the same time.”
Rodgers never shies away from saying what he believes, and his comments often create controversy. Some people hate him for that, while others respect that he isn’t scared to voice his opinion.
There is no denying that he is having the worst season of his career. People across the media expected him to turn the Jets into a Super Bowl contender, but they are closer to the No. 1 pick than the Lombardi Trophy this year.
Fans React to Clark’s Comments on Rodgers
A lot of people agreed with what Clark said about Rodgers, but many also took issue with him calling the quarterback a “fraud.” Here’s how the fans who did not agree with the former Pittsburgh Steelers star’s comments reacted on social media:
Why is Ryan Clark so soft now
— MatasEffect (@MoneyBagsMatas) December 14, 2024
“Aw, Aaron hurt Ryan’s little feeling,” said one fan.
One fan added, “RC, were you ever on an all-pro team, let alone first team? Or a pro bowler more than once? Do you hold any NFL records? How are you clowning McAfee when his accolades outweigh your own.”
One fan asked Clark an interesting question based on his comments. He wrote, “Ryan, you’re calling out Aaron, who’s the top two in your eyes, and you’re in the middle of DBs statistically in the NFL (outside of longevity) but lack the greatness of Aaron Rodgers, which begs the question… what makes you the expert to judge Aaron?”
Another fan added, “Guess who’s still playing and who’s spewing hate for attention.”
This take is absolutely terrible because it ignores the context Aaron Rodgers gave when making his statement.
He was specifically talking about the Bart Scott’s and other former players that really weren’t all that who go on TV and slander people?
How is what he was saying… https://t.co/KOjWF7k86U
— Attack! on Cowboys ✭ (@AttackOnCowboys) December 13, 2024
Rodgers won the only Super Bowl of his career in 2011, and it came against Clark’s team. The Steelers’ defense enjoyed legendary status during that era, but the former Green Bay Packers quarterback completely outplayed them.
In the 31-25 win for the Packers, Rodgers was 24 of 39 for 304 yards and three touchdowns with a passer rating of 111.5. Some believe that Clark has some animosity towards Rodgers, as this was not the first time he called out the 41-year-old quarterback on national television.