2<\/p>\n Former executive director of the NFLPA DeMaurice Smith speaks in 2021Credit: AP 2<\/p>\n Aaron Rodgers signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers early last monthCredit: Alamy<\/p>\n Smith led the NFLPA from 2009 to 2023.<\/p>\n The 61-year-old has an upcoming new book, called Turf Wars,” and he made sure to call out Rodgers for his behavior when it came to working with the NFLPA.<\/p>\n “The god of Cheesehead Nation was isolated and dismissive,” Smith described Rodgers in the book.<\/p>\n “He sat in the back row of the meeting room, issuing loud sighs before standing for a dramatic exit.<\/p>\n “An incredible quarterback, to be sure, but an even more impressive antagonist.”<\/p>\n Rodgers was public with his criticisms of the 202 collective bargaining agreement.<\/p>\n The four-time NFL<\/a> MVP voted against the agreement and noted his disapproval of the 17-game season.<\/p>\n “In August 2021, my phone chirped with a text from Aaron Rodgers,” Smith wrote.<\/p>\n “‘Can you call me?’ it read. Could I not run into traffic instead.”<\/p>\n Rodgers has been known to be brutally honest, especially while he’s on his buddy Pat McAfee<\/a>‘s self-titled ESPN show.<\/p>\n Aaron Rodgers Makes Big Demands in His Final NFL Season With the Steelers<\/p>\n The 41-year-old’s character has also been in question as he’s estranged from his brother, Jordan<\/a>, and parents.<\/p>\n And Rodgers’ ex-girlfriend, former professional racer Danica Patrick<\/a>, called him “emotionally abusive” <\/a>and said that he “wore me down to nothing.”<\/p>\n Rodgers has been in the headlines throughout the NFL offseason over his football future.<\/p>\n The 20-year veteran signed with the Steelers in early June after months of contemplating his future and made a cameo appearance during the team’s minicamp session.<\/p>\n Rodgers also raised eyebrows by announcing that he got married during the offseason.<\/p>\n NFL important dates 2025 season<\/p>\n March 12 – Free Agency begins<\/p>\n April 24-26 – NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin<\/p>\n September 4 – 2025 season opener (TBC vs Eagles)<\/p>\n November 27 – Thanksgiving Day triple header<\/p>\n January 4, 2026 – End of regular-season<\/p>\n February 8, 2026 – Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California<\/p>\n But his relationship remains a mystery as his significant other has yet to be named.<\/p>\n Rodgers isn’t the only big NFL name that Smith name-dropped in his upcoming book.<\/p>\n Smith described league commissioner Roger Goodell as a “cold, dark void.”<\/p>\n![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2021-report-jon-gruden-used-685449949.jpg\")
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