Aaron Rodgers loves the spotlight. The minute it starts looking like media interest in him is waning, he makes sure to give them something to talk about. If it’s not some new conspiracy theory, then it’s about ayahuasca or whatever other new-age trend he is into at that moment. Why does he do it?
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Julian Edelman believes Rodgers is a victim of habit. He picked this up early in his career from the very QB he ultimately replaced in Green Bay. Brett Favre had turned his NFL career into a drama-filled spectacle. From questions about his next team, his relationship with successor Rodgers, and his endless cycle of retiring, unretiring, and retiring again, his every move was headline-worthy.
News outlets were tracking his flights and even bus rides from the airport. Rodgers and Favre shared a locker room for three seasons — from 2005 to 2007. Given the years, Favre’s influence on the young Rodgers would have been profound. Rodgers’ foremost inheritance from Favre appears to be a compulsion to have the spotlight on him at all times, regardless of the reason.
Perhaps that is why the Vikings chose to overlook him and instead chose to move forward with J.J. McCarthy — a decision Edelman believes was the right call.
“Let’s rewind back when Aaron Rodgers was a young QB. There was a QB in his room that was playing the antics that Aaron Rodgers is literally playing now. Aaron picked a lot of habits of Brett Favre. He’s doing the same things Brett Favre did towards the end of his career,” Edelman explained on The Herd.
While Edelman acknowledged that the four-time MVP still has something left in the tank and could have helped Minnesota on the field, he argued that the baggage and distractions weren’t worth the risk. Instead, the franchise prioritized locker room harmony to maintain its upward trajectory.
Despite not naming McCarthy the starting quarterback right away, the Vikings still have shown confidence in their rookie. They want to maintain a competitive environment, ensuring McCarthy earns his spot — something that would have been nearly impossible with Rodgers in the mix.
However, when it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers, it’s a different dynamic. And Jules acknowledged that.
Edelman believes Rodgers is the right fit for the Steelers
While he agreed with Colin Cowherd that Rodgers is not a big football culture guy, Edelman argued that the four-time MVP would be a great fit in the Steelers’ culture under Mike Tomlin. He praised the Super Bowl-winning head coach as a consummate professional who can work with anyone, including Rodgers.
To support his point, Edelman pointed to Antonio Brown, noting how Tomlin successfully managed the star receiver’s antics and behavior throughout his time in Pittsburgh. If Tomlin could keep Brown in check, Edelman believes he could manage Rodgers.
“I do think he fits the Steelers culture because I do believe in Mike Tomlin and the professional that he is as a Head Coach and how he communicates with players. He can make it work with Aaron Rodgers,” said Edelman.
If there is any place for Rodgers to be ok with how he handles football, I think Mike Tomlin would be a great guy for that,” added the former Patriots WR.
With the New York Giants filling their quarterback room with Jameis Winston and Mr. Unlimited, Russell Wilson, Pittsburgh is now the only realistic destination for Rodgers. He also owes Tomlin a Super Bowl. While that might be an impossible goal, the least he can do is deliver some playoff wins.
That said, even for a coach as steady as Tomlin, managing Rodgers, George Pickens, and DK Metcalf in the same locker room would be a tough ask.
