Just how annoying is Aaron Rodgers?
Even fans of the Green Bay Packers have deemed him the most annoying player in the NFL.
A study commissioned by The Action Network sought to identify the most annoying teams and players in the league. Rodgers topped the list, garnering 27 percent of the votes from over 3,000 NFL fans. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce followed with 17 percent, while Odell Beckham (10 percent), Patrick Mahomes (8 percent), and Dak Prescott (5 percent) rounded out the top five.
Rodgers, who excelled in a recent victory against the New England Patriots, is seen as the most irritating player by fans nationwide. Supporters from 24 of the league’s 32 teams voted for him, with 23 choosing him outright and Chargers fans split between Rodgers and Kelce.
Interestingly, older fans found Rodgers more annoying; 36 percent of fans aged 55 and up considered him so, compared to just 8 percent of those aged 18 to 24. For younger fans, Kelce was the standout annoyance at 21 percent.
Despite winning a Super Bowl and four NFL MVP awards with the Packers, 34 percent of Packers fans still identified him as annoying. Only fans from rival NFC North teams—the Chicago Bears (43 percent), Minnesota Vikings (40 percent), and Detroit Lions (35 percent)—found him more bothersome.
Rodgers was also viewed as the most annoying player by 32 percent of Patriots fans after his dominant performance against their team.
His polarizing nature has grown since the glory of Super Bowl XLV faded, highlighted by factors such as:
– His body language.
– His inability to secure significant victories.
– His subtle criticisms of coaches Mike McCarthy and Matt LaFleur.
– His hefty contract.
– His influence on personnel decisions.
Rodgers’ controversial views on COVID, including misleading statements about being “immunized,” further soured public opinion. His interest in ayahuasca and his choice to skip offseason practices in 2022, which could have aided the development of young receivers, added to the backlash.
Even Packers President Mark Murphy acknowledged Rodgers as a “complicated fella,” writing in June 2021 about the division in the fan base regarding him: “The situation we face with Aaron Rodgers has divided our fan base… we remain committed to resolving things with Aaron and want him to be our quarterback in 2021 and beyond.”
After a disappointing 8-9 season in 2022, the Packers traded Rodgers to the Jets, which, combined with Jordan Love’s emergence, helped rejuvenate the team.
The Jets saw him as their savior, but he suffered a torn Achilles in his first game last season. After a loss in Week 1, he rebounded against the Titans and Patriots, showing glimpses of his former self.
At halftime against the Patriots, Rodgers completed 15 of 18 passes for 170 yards and one touchdown, impressing Jets fans.
In the survey, the Packers were voted the fourth-most annoying team, trailing only the Dallas Cowboys, who led with 20 percent. The Philadelphia Eagles (9 percent), Las Vegas Raiders (8 percent), and Steelers (6 percent) followed.
Predictably, the Packers ranked as the most annoying team among Bears (41 percent), Vikings (32 percent), and Lions (28 percent) fans.
The survey was conducted by Research Without Barriers between July 3 and August 5, polling 3,013 NFL fans across the United States.
