As expected, Aaron Rodgers stepped away from football - and the media - following the conclusion of the NFL season after signing a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers last spring.
Now, more than a month removed from his final game, Rodgers appeared on The Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday, where many expected him to provide an update on his future as he weighs retirement at age 42 - especially after the Steelers hired his former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, with whom he won a Super Bowl.
However, Rodgers made it clear from the start that he is not making any decisions right now and that the Steelers have not given him a deadline to do so.
That said, he did break his silence on the team's decision to hire McCarthy - someone he clearly holds in high regard.
"Mike's one of the great guys in the league. Just an absolute exceptional human being with a huge heart,” Rodgers said. “We had a lot of great years together and a lot of fun. He really cares about the players, but he also holds guys accountable. He creates a lot of structure in the details and the process… I loved my time with Mike over the years."
Rodgers did note that, like any relationship, there were moments when the two didn't see eye to eye, but they ultimately shared the same goal - to win games and compete for Super Bowls - which they accomplished together.
"Obviously there were some times… you know, it's like a big brother. Sometimes you love him, sometimes you're pissed at him, but deep down there's so much love for Mike."
The Steelers and McCarthy have made it clear they would love to have Rodgers back in for a second year in Pittsburgh, but they remains confident in what they already have in the building with Will Howard and Mason Rudolph.
“I’m really excited about Will Howard,” McCarthy said. “He’s someone that I thought really came on there at Ohio State. I’m anxious to work with him. It’d be great to have Aaron back. But Will and Mason [Rudolph], I’m really, really excited to get started with those guys.”
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