Aaron Rodgers faces criticism after remarks about former partners on podcast
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers drew backlash for disparaging comments about ex-girlfriends Shailene Woodley and Danica Patrick during a teammate's podcast, prompting public responses from the women.
Aaron Rodgers, quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers, was questioned on teammate Cam Heyward's podcast "Not Just Football" about misconceptions people have about him. In his response, Rodgers criticized his former partners, actress Shailene Woodley and former NASCAR driver Danica Patrick, describing them in negative terms.
Rodgers, who dated Patrick from 2018 to 2020 and Woodley from 2020 to 2022, said the women "nobody gives a ... unless they drop my name" and suggested they portrayed him as a "monster of a partner." He also claimed Patrick was "depressed and not fun to be around."
The remarks prompted a wave of criticism on social media, with users calling the comments inappropriate and questioning why he shared them publicly.
Woodley, who recently won an Emmy for her role in the Hulu series "Paradise," previously told an outlet that her relationship with Rodgers "was not right" but also "beautiful," describing the breakup as traumatic and describing a subsequent period as a "toxic situation."
Patrick, in a 2025 interview, said the breakup caused her the "most amount of pain" she had ever experienced, characterising the relationship as emotionally abusive.
The Independent has sought comment from representatives for both Woodley and Patrick.
"It was sudden, it felt like my whole life," Patrick said, adding that the nature of the relationship left her feeling worn down.
Woodley said the relationship was "not right" but also "beautiful," and noted that the breakup was a "low point" for her.