Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Has Direct Response To Terry Bradshaw: "Doesn't Know Me"

The Pittsburgh Steelers entered into a saga that took up quite a bit of the offseason involving quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The 41-year-old veteran finally made it clear he was going to sign with Pittsburgh, but leading up to that decision, the situation became tense. Many fans got frustrated with the long wait, accusing Rodgers of dragging things out to stay in the spotlight, and calling him an attention-seeker who was trying to steal headlines during a crucial time for the franchise.

Rodgers addressed those criticisms by explaining that he was simply being transparent about his process and never intended to hold the team or its fans hostage. He spoke about how seriously he took the decision and described it as a personal journey. He believed that at this stage in his career, the choice needed careful thought and spiritual clarity, even if some didn’t understand or appreciate the way he went about it.

While all of that was unfolding, former Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw made headlines by offering a harsh opinion of Rodgers, telling him to go chew on bark and whisper to the gods. The comment stirred up even more conversation, especially when Rodgers responded during a conversation with NFL analyst Kyle Brandt. 

"I whisper to the gods every single day," Rodgers said. "I have known Terry [Bradshaw] for a long time, being part of Fox. Terry is a legend—he’s an absolute legend… but Terry, like a lot of people, doesn’t know me. So he has an idea of what he thinks about me, based on what I have done—the documentary, what I have said, the darkness retreat, or whatever the h*** you want to talk about."

Instead of lashing out, he called Bradshaw a legend and said he hoped to get to know him on a deeper level. 

Rodgers made it clear he had great respect for the players who came before him, even if they didn’t always understand him in return.

"I would love to get to know Terry on a deeper level," Rodgers said. "I feel like if he gave me a chance to get to know him, then we would have a good friendship. For me, I have nothing but the utmost amount of respect for what the greats have done… They laid the foundation for us to be able to play in this great game, get paid like kings, and to carry on the tradition of excellence… I would love to get to know Terry on a deeper level if he is open to it and maybe we can go chew some bark or whatever the he** he’s talking about together."

Rodgers' response was incredibly mature and unexpectedly funny. It perfectly captured what he set out to do and showed he could handle a tough question with confidence and clarity. By staying composed and adding humor, he sent a strong message to Steelers fans that he is ready for the challenge and capable of dealing with intense media pressure.

Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Eager To Earn The Right To Lead Pittsburgh

Over the years, Rodgers has dealt with many negative connotations attached to his name. He often feels misunderstood, and now that he’s in Pittsburgh, some Steelers fans are starting to recognize that side of him. Instead of avoiding the criticism, he has embraced it and made it clear that he is committed to being part of the Steelers' culture.

Rodgers has come to the Steel City with a team-first mindset, determined to earn the respect of the locker room and prove himself in the 2025 season. He is focused on building trust and chemistry, both on and off the field. It is starting to seem like Bradshaw may have misjudged him.

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