Former NFL QB Alex Smith gets heavier on Aaron Rodgers’ situation
Alex Smith explains why Aaron Rodgers should return at least a year or more.
Seriously sports
Aaron Rodgers is used to ugly divisions.
This was the well-known divorce between the quarterback and the Green Bay Packers in the spring of 2023. History was repeated earlier this year when the New York Jets decided to go their separate ways.
These issues usually remain limited to field events, but this time Rogers is away from it.
Former IndyCar and NASCAR driver Danica Patrick became famous for dating Rogers from 2018 to 2020, but now he’s talking about his relationship with the four-time NFL MVP.
Appearing on the “Sage Steele Show” podcast, Patrick said breaking up with Rogers was the most painful thing she’d ever had in her life.
“It was sudden,” Patrick said. “It felt like my life, when you live with someone, it was your whole life. It’s your dentist’s appointment. It’s your hairstyle, your clothes. It’s like your mailing address. It seems like everything. And since the nature of the relationship was emotionally abusive,
Patrick adds, “It all torn into bits,” citing a complete lack of confidence and belief in simple things about himself.
“He’s leaving a blood mark,” Patrick said. “I don’t think I’m saying too much, you know what will crush the earth. There was enough there.”
For race car drivers, the end of that relationship was a gift offering new opportunities.
“It gave me the biggest gift, the biggest gift that was my own,” Patrick said. “You know it gave me the greatest gift of how much I need to show up for myself and take care of myself.”
Steele asked if these feelings existed at this point or if they were the result of hindsight. Patrick pointed out that it is her nature to try and get things to work while doing difficult things.
“I’m just saying it was made for the hard thing,” Patrick said he hopes it works at first and doesn’t give up. “I can handle difficult things. I just thought it was difficult. My nature is to work harder and do more.”
She went on to say that there is no shame or regret at her end, adding that it is all part of the path, and learned lessons to become who you are.
Patrick is not the first person to advance on the difficulties in his relationship with Rogers. Actress Shailene Woodley, who previously worked as a quarterback, detailed her time with Rogers in an interview with Outside Magazine in 2024.
Woodley called the relationship “toxic situations” and said he felt like he had lost his soul, self, happiness and joy.
“I don’t share much about my relationship with Aaron, and it always makes me cry,” Woodley told the magazine. “That wasn’t right, but it was beautiful.”
Rogers cites personal reasons for his decision to remain a free agent now, but training camp is soon approaching. The quarterback still doesn’t have a team, despite the fact that the Pittsburgh Steelers were believed to be his final destination.
But in this relationship it’s the Steelers who sign up for everything that comes with it. Time will tell if Rogers’ courtship is better than others.
