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Aaron Rodgers Issues Apology to Pat McAfee

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated Apr 17, 2025 10:06 PM ET

When Pat McAfee organized his "Big Night AHT"—billed as a "variety show"—earlier this April, many expected to see Aaron Rodgers make an appearance and address his future in the NFL. However, the show ended without the 41-year-old quarterback ever showing up.

The "Big Night AHT" was held at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh on April 9, and with Rodgers linked to the Pittsburgh Steelers, it would have been the perfect opportunity for him to announce that he was signing with the team.

There were also rumors hinting that he would do so, especially after McAfee's co-host and another close friend of Rodgers, A.J. Hawk, joked that the veteran signal-caller could reveal his decision during the Pittsburgh event.

Speaking about his absence from the "Big Night AHT" during Thursday's episode of "The Pat McAfee Show," Rodgers apologized to his good friend for not making it.

"I'm sorry I couldn't make it," Rodgers told McAfee. "I really wanted to be there.”

McAfee, for his part, quickly explained Rodgers' side and revealed the supposedly private conversation they had about it.

"He [Rodgers] told me, he was like, 'Could you imagine if I go in there? I'd be the biggest [expletive] of all time," McAfee said. "The amount of time that you put into this, and all the people that you have, and then I show up."

"I'm sorry I couldn't make it to Big Night AHT

I really wanted to be there" ~ @AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/ydl9U07Ijv
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 17, 2025

As for his NFL future, Aaron Rodgers still has yet to decide on what he'll do, with retirement still an option. The four-time NFL MVP also explained the truth about what's preventing him from making a move, noting some personal issues.

"From the jump, you know I'm at a different place in my life," Rodgers shared on McAfee's show. "I'm 41 years old, I'm in a serious relationship, I have off-the-field stuff going on that requires my attention and personal commitments I've made, not knowing what my future looks like after last year."

He added, "I have a couple people in my inner circle who are really battling some difficult stuff. I have a lot of things that have taken my attention away from football. That's what I've been focusing most of my attention on. To make a commitment to a team is a big thing."

That being said, it looks like fans will have to wait a little longer to see what Rodgers decides to do in his career.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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