Aaron Rodgers is set to hit free agency after he was cut by the New York Jets, and the quarterback has had a long-standing feud with NFL icon Terry Bradshaw

Terry Bradshaw isn’t one to hold back, as Aaron Rodgers knows all too well.

The Pittsburgh Steelers legend turned broadcasting pro has been dishing out hot takes on FOX NFL Sunday since the show’s debut in 1994, balancing acclaim for NFL elites like Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, and Tom Brady with sharp critiques of others. Rodgers, who recently became a free agent when the New York Jets cut ties after a regrettable two-year run, has frequently found himself at odds with Bradshaw.

The 41-year-old quarterback sat out his first season due to an Achilles injury mere snaps into 2023 and led the Jets to a lamentable 5-12 record in 2024. Ultimately, Rodgers was shown the door as the team looked elsewhere for the future. But what has Bradshaw said about Rodgers over the years? Here, the Mirror US breaks it down..

Bradshaw calls Rodgers a “liar”

In 2021, Rodgers faced biting criticism from Bradshaw over his COVID-19 vaccine stance and related comments during the pandemic. Telling reporters he was “immunized”, Rodgers was later sidelined for 10 days and missed a game against the Kansas City Chiefs when the NFL revealed he wasn’t vaccinated, reports the Irish Star.

Bradshaw lambasted Rodgers for claiming immunization, accusing him of self-interest on FOX Sports. He said: “I’d give Aaron Rodgers some advice. It would have been nice if he’d just come to the Naval Academy and learned how to be honest.

“Learned not to lie. Because that’s what you did, Aaron. You lied to everyone.” He added: “Unfortunately, we’ve got players that pretty much think about themselves and I’m extremely disappointed in the actions of Aaron Rodgers.”

Rodgers has however since admitted that he regrets his actions, telling an unauthorized biography: “If there’s one thing I wish could have gone different, it’s that, because that’s the only thing [critics] could hit me with.”

Aaron Rodgers and Terry Bradshaw have had numerous clashes ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
He added: “But if I could do it again, I would have said [in August], f— the appeal. I’m just going to tell them I’m allergic to PEG, I’m not getting Johnson and Johnson, I’m not going to be vaxxed.” Bradshaw wasn’t alone in his critique either, with Jimmy Johnson labeling the QB “selfish”. He said: “I respect his attitude toward being an individual.

“But this is a team game. In all honesty, I’m disappointed in his play on words for his explanation. I’m disappointed in some of his selfish actions.”

Bradshaw calls Rodgers “weak”

Further stirring the pot, Bradshaw didn’t mince words when addressing Rodgers’s reaction to the Green Bay Packers drafting Jordan Love over a wide receiver in 2020. Despite leading the Packers to a 13-3 record in 2019, Rodgers made it clear he wanted to see the team beef up their offensive edge with a new wide receiver during the NFL draft, only for them to select QB Love instead.

On a segment of WFAN’s Moose and Maggie show in 2021, Bradshaw pulled no punches: “Who the hell cares who you draft? He’s a three-time MVP in the league, and he’s worried about this guy they drafted last year at No. 1? And for him to be upset, my god, I don’t understand that.

“Pittsburgh drafted Mark Malone No. 1, Cliff Stoudt in the third or fourth round — I had them coming at me from all angles. I embraced it because when we went to practice, I wasn’t worried about those guys. They didn’t scare me a bit. So I don’t understand why he’s so upset at Green Bay.”

Terry Bradshaw has voiced his opinion of Aaron Rodgers ( 
Image:
David Eulitt/Kansas City Star/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
He added: “I wouldn’t budge. Let him gripe, let him cry — retire, you’re 38, go ahead and retire, see you later. I’m really strong about stuff like that, and it just makes him look weak. In my way [of looking at things], it makes him look weak.”

After a 17-year stretch with the Packers, Rodgers’ time ended after the 2022 season when he was traded to the Jets, paving the way for Love to become the franchise’s leading QB.

The fallout

Bradshaw is yet to offer an apology for his biting remarks on Rodgers, and their years of verbal sparring seem to have left an indelible mark on the football legend’s view of the quarterback. During a January discussion on FOX, Michael Strahan pondered over Rodgers’ future as he approached his 500th career touchdown pass in what would be his final regular-season game against the Miami Dolphins.

Strahan said: “This will be his last game as a Jet in my opinion, he’s one touchdown away from hitting that 500 touchdown mark. But a lot comes with Aaron Rodgers and if you’re going to take on everything that comes with Aaron Rodgers, you need the production that usually comes with Aaron Rodgers and they’re not getting that.

“This is Aaron Rodgers’ last game as a Jet. And if there’s somebody out there, I’d always believe there are teams who feel like they can get him and fix him and get that last bit. But is it worth it all with everything that comes with him? I don’t know.”

However, Bradshaw didn’t agree with Strahan’s mention of the quarterback’s milestones, replying: “Why do we always talk about records? 499, I threw 212 touchdown passes. It doesn’t matter. 212, I gave it to Howie [Long]. Howie coughed up a lung writing it down.”

Rodgers etched his name in NFL history by throwing his 500th touchdown pass during the game, connecting with Tyler Conklin in the End Zone. The achievement vaults him into an elite circle alongside legends like Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, and Brett Favre.