Although Pat McAfee claims he’s clueless about Aaron Rodgers’ decision, the former NFL punter believes the quarterback could walk away from his playing career.
As the 39-year-old Rodgers keeps the public waiting about his next career move — which could be a potential trade to the Jets — McAfee shared a PSA Tuesday on his YouTube show explaining he has no inside information about Rodgers.
“I think he’s a human that could retire,” McAfee said. “And this is not off any information, but it’s the real deal.
“He’s a guy that could stare down $58 million and retire because he would view it as, like, ‘My happiness is not about money.’ That’s like legitimately how he goes.
“So I think in that aspect, if he felt like he was happier without all the stresses of football, I think he would be a person that could turn that down and be completely cool with it and just move along. That’s just from hanging out with him one time in Lake Tahoe and realizing he’s a motherf–king hippie.”
However, McAfee maintained that he’s unsure about Rodgers’ playing future.
“The Aaron Rodgers situation has no answers still at this point publicly,” McAfee said. “I don’t know privately.
“Will an answer come soon? We have no idea… but that is not necessarily going to come from this particular program today. What we’re saying is, we have no idea either. Same spot as yesterday, same spot as Friday.
“We’d like everyone to know that, because I know there are a lot of people tuning in, going, ‘Is this Aaron Rodgers Tuesday?’”
McAfee explained that he’s remaining “hands off” about the matter — and not “pestering, poking or prodding” Rodgers about his decision.
“You live your life pal,” McAfee said about Rodgers. “If you feel the need, or want to chat with us about it, cool — if not, do your thing.
“We’re happy for Aaron, if Aaron is happy with Aaron.”
It was speculated Rodgers would reveal his decision on “The Pat McAfee Show,” as it is the only media platform the quarterback speaks in depth about is NFL career.
McAfee has been close friends with Rodgers since their first meeting at a charity golf in the Bahamas in 2019.
Rodgers has not appeared on “The Pat McAfee Show” since Feb. 14.
It marked his last appearance on the program before he entered a “darkness retreat” in Klamath County, Oregon at Sky Cave Retreats — which included spending multiple days inside a room desolate of light alone.
At the time, Rodgers told McAfee that he committed to the isolation retreat in an effort to help him decide on his NFL future, and to “have a better sense of where I’m at in my life.”
Rodgers could decide to return to the Packers for a 19th season, ask for a trade or retire for good.
The four-time NFL MVP previously said on “The Pat McAfee Show” that he had contemplated retirement before returning to Green Bay for the 2022-23 season.
All eyes are on Rodgers as any trade will become official at the start of the new league year, which begins at 4 p.m. on March 15.
The Jets reportedly believe they are on the brink of trading for Rodgers following a meeting with the quarterback last Tuesday.
Jets brass — including owner Woody Johnson, vice chairman and co-owner Christopher Johnson, general manager Joe Douglas, head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett — took a private jet to California to meet with Rodgers amid their pursuit of the veteran quarterback.
The Packers had to grant permission to the Jets to speak to Rodgers, who has said that a trade out of Green Bay — where he has spent his entire 18-year career — wouldn’t offend him.
The Jets appear to be pulling out all the stops to land Rodgers.
First, they hired Hackett, Rodgers’ former offensive coordinator in Green Bay, in January — and now are reportedly targeting free agents that are close to the quarterback.
Rodgers has provided the Jets with a wishlist of free agents he would like them to target and acquire, according to ESPN’s Diana Russini — which includes his Packers teammates Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard and Marcedes Lewis, as well as Odell Beckham Jr.
The Jets are actively working to reach an agreement with Lazard, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday.
Rodgers has $110 million left on his contract extension that he signed with Green Bay last spring.
He is due $59.5 million in guaranteed money this year and another $49.25 million in 2024.
The Jets and the Packers remain engaged in conversations about compensation and contract.