Let’s be real for a second. When you hear Aaron Rodgers and his weekly appearances on the Pat McAfee Show, what’s the first thing that surfaces in your mind? Is it his wild takes on COVID-19 or that infamous ivermectin comment? Or maybe, just maybe, it’s the fact that Rodgers has pocketed over a million bucks for his Tuesday spots.

Fast forward to now. Rodgers enjoys a warm welcome on the Pat McAfee Show by none other than the host himself. And just when you thought that $1 million payment drama was behind them, the NY Jets QB seems to have stirred the pot—this time, with some crispy comments as an addition to it. “Just like this year, and anytime in the future, I would never take a dollar from you guys,” Rodgers stated while appearing on the show.

Well, it appears to be pretty simple, but his sentiments behind this? Nah, we really don’t know about that. Rodgers does say that he loves to be on this show but wanna here something fishy? “I’m not getting paid by this show,” there you go, that’s what he has to say now. Well, it’s just talking out of both sides of your mouth. Even so, we still have to get a confirmation if he’s no longer getting paid to appear on the show this year or if has he never been paid for the same.

Talking about the main issue? McAfee’s show is no longer just some niche podcast—it’s become a powerhouse in the sports media world. Especially now that ESPN has picked it up. And all this Rodgers-McAfee drama is beyond the $1 million controversy. It’s a simple stat that when a high-profile guest like Rodgers appears weekly on a show like McAfee’s, there come some responsibilities.

And mind if I remind you, the QB used the platform to spread his personal views on COVID-19, especially misinformation about vaccine safety. That’s where, folks, the responsibilities were shadowed. And adding that $1 million paycheck part, it works like fuel in the fire.

Pat McAfee pays Aaron Rodgers and Nick Saban

“The guy brought literally hundreds of millions of dollars in a valuation for my business that I own 100% of. And then just because he’s rich, I’m not supposed to thank him or say, give him his value.” Remember how the whole Rodgers and McAfee drama started? Cut to the present and do y’all know that Rodgers is now ranked 18th on the list of highest-paying athletes in the world?

Talk about his NFL contracts and his brand endorsements. They’ll justify these stats, no doubt. However, a year back, fans got insights into his other hustle that kept bringing in the cash. Rodgers has been appearing on the Pat McAfee show for more than half a decade now. However, the host of the show revealed last year that he’s paying Rodgers $1 million to appear on his show.

“Aaron has made over $1,000,000 with us, for sure.” McAfee told Andrew Marchand of the Post. He deserves much more than what he’s gotten for the time and effort he has put into.” Well, that’s not it from the host’s side. Pat also mentioned that former coach and sportscaster Nick Saban has received similar payments. However, it was the other thing that ESPN declined, stating, it was McAfee who paid Rodgers and Saban, not the network.

See, the controversy just didn’t lie in the fact that these two were paid handsomely for their appearance. And it wasn’t just to talk about football and other things on the show. It’s also about the host paying top-tier athletes and coaches. Now, we’ve no clue if McAfee is confused over why he’s being criticized for paying Rodgers and others. But we surely are confused with Aaron Rodgers’ response about not getting paid to appear on the show.