PITTSBURGH — I don’t agree with Aaron Rodgers on a handful of topics surrounding public health, especially his views on vaccinations and the COVID-19 pandemic. But that’s OK.

I respect Rodgers’ right to not only have an opposing opinion but share that opinion whenever and wherever he sees fit.

That said, what took place during Monday’s recording of “The Pat McAfee Show” in Latrobe should not be overlooked.

In case you missed it, Rodgers took it upon himself to make a football conversation political Monday afternoon.

He called Dr. Anthony Fauci an “absolute coward” for not answering questions at last week’s Senate hearing about the COVID-19 pandemic. He then criticized ESPN, the network he was on, for its decision to not cover Fauci’s hearing despite having allocated hours of coverage in the past to other pandemic-related angles.

“How much time did they spend on my responses every week, on my vaccination status?” the Steelers’ quarterback asked. “On Taylor [Swift] and Travis [Kelce’s] wedding? Did they do even a minute on Tony Fauci? I bet they didn’t.”

A few other controversial remarks followed before McAfee was able to redirect the chat back to the gridiron. But by then, it didn’t really matter. Rodgers got what he wanted. He made his point, loud and clear.

I spent the rest of Monday trying to objectively assess Rodgers’ remarks. More than a few words bounced around my head throughout the process. The one I finally landed on?

Strange.

This is not a column to challenge Rodgers’ stance on vaccinations or the pandemic. I’ll leave that to the public health experts. I’d be equally perplexed if he took time to offer the opposite stance. Though it would probably be something I agree with, I’d still think it was a weird decision to do so right then and there.

That, for me, is where the issue lies. The message is one thing. The way he went about delivering it is what I find more confusing.

When word began to spread around camp about Rodgers’ comments, I was actually a bit surprised. Not due to the comments themselves — I think we all already knew how he felt about these issues — but rather the timing.

I guess part of me thought this version of Rodgers, the one that turned him from a household name to a polarizing figure, was in the past. This is the first time he’s said anything like this as a Steeler.

Through the 2025 season, he drew no extra attention to himself or the team. It felt like we were witnessing a different side of Rodgers — a guy who seemingly made an extra effort to support his teammates and coaches, a guy who never missed an opportunity to express his gratitude to play for this franchise in this city.

That was likely always part of his story and still is. But that was all we were seeing in Pittsburgh.

Only a few weeks ago, the biggest story connected to Rodgers was him working toward amending an estranged relationship with his family. It seemed like he was over the unnecessary off-the-field drama, which makes what happened Monday on “The Pat McAfee Show” a bit difficult for me to understand.

There are certain elements of this situation I comprehend. I get the timing, as Fauci — a man Rodgers clearly despises — is back in the news. Rodgers clearly felt like this was the time for him to break his extended silence on the pandemic.

I also get the setting, to a certain extent. McAfee’s show is where this all started. Despite Rodgers having access to bigger platforms such as Joe Rogan’s podcast or even the White House thanks to his relationship with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., I can see why that program is where he’d be most comfortable to speak his mind.

But this wasn’t just a regular appearance on the show.

Rodgers joined McAfee’s program live from Steelers training camp. A slew of fans, along with the team’s practice field, could be seen in the background as he began his rant.

Rodgers always represents the Steelers due to his position on the team, but this setting was a bit more connected to the franchise than a typical midweek appearance he’d normally make over Zoom.

The Steelers released a statement not long after Rodgers’ remarks.

“Discussions around culture and politics can bring differing perspectives, and our players are entitled to their own personal views. With respect to that, I am certain there are a variety of opinions on many topics within our locker room,” Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten said in an emailed statement to WTAE.

The statement is likely true. I highly doubt Rodgers’ comments created much of a problem within the Steelers’ locker room, if any at all. Nonetheless, it still created a situation that others within the organization had to address, most notably coach Mike McCarthy on Tuesday. It made extra work that probably didn’t need to happen.

Rodgers knew this and still said what he said.

I’m not telling Rodgers to “shut up and dribble.” I respect everyone’s right to free speech, to use their platform to highlight causes they’re passionate about. But this wasn’t an effort to inform, nor was it a protest.

This was a victory lap, a troll job. Rodgers wanted to dunk on someone he dislikes. Claiming it to be anything more would be wrong. He was free to do so, but his choice to do so on Monday — at training camp, in front of a live audience, right before the start of the season — wasn’t one I personally agree with.

It’s also one Steelers fans should hope does not become a consistent storyline this season.

The Steelers had plenty of off-the-field distractions throughout the Mike Tomlin era. McCarthy and his new staff deserve a clean slate. Further behavior like this from the starting quarterback goes against that initiative.

Regardless of how one feels about the pandemic, intentionally taking a flame to a combustible topic like this helps no one. Trolling for the sake of trolling isn’t productive, especially when it’s coming from an athlete of Rodgers’ magnitude.

Rodgers’ comments aren’t the end of the world. But his behavior Monday was selfish, which is the exact opposite thing that allowed so many to welcome him here in Pittsburgh.

I won’t analyze his play any differently. I still believe he’s a good teammate and a valuable part of the organization.

But seeing him act that way, a way so many believed he had — at least publicly — put behind him was bizarre.

I guess in the end, that’s just what Rodgers is — or, at the very least, that’s again one of the ways he has chosen to present himself.

He’s probably OK with that. And I guess we’ll find out if Steelers nation is, as well.

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