The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz • 30 August 2025

Aaron Rodgers Gave Pittsburgh Hero Ryan Clark the Cold Shoulder

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*NOTE: We recorded this podcast before the Dallas Cowboys traded Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. But do not fret Football Americans! Shek provided his immediate reactions to the trade on our YouTube. -Newsman Bradley Best of times, worst of times? Beats the Dickens out of me what that one tale of two cities was about…but where Pittsburgh and Cleveland are concerned, I’m not sure who’s better or worse… at least at sports’ most important position. Now listen, I’m not insane. The Steelers will be better than the Browns this year--and of course we can laugh at the Browns. Oh my yes, we’ll laugh at the Browns, that is my solemn vow. But whatever you think Cleveland’s one step forward, 23-yards sack approach, at least they tried to solve the QB spot. As it happens, the two halves of pro pigskin’s rusty yinz n yang are in the same spot, starting one-yr rentals both on the wrong side of 40…and that’s not a real solution, especially if the goal is going the Super bowl. You think Aaron Rodgers is the missing link for a Lombardi run? the guy whose one and only trip was 15 years ago…against you? By that logic, maybe the Niners shoulda signed their SB43 conquerer Joe Flacco. I’m pretty sure the Steelers braintrust didn’t see Sinners…because if they had, they’d know you don’t invite in the guy who wants to suck the culture outta you and make it his own. Sorry if that’s upsetting, but do keep in mind, yinz have merely adopted the darkness. I was born into it. Back in October of 2010, I said Rodgers would go down as the greatest QB in history. I still say he’s the most talented. Or at least, he was. Now though, chasing the self-proclaimed private man who makes documentaries about himself isn’t a sincere effort to go the Super bowl. It’s about Rodgers and Tomlin’s mutually beneficial hope they find redemption and reclaim professional dignity with A playoff win. There’s a good reason why that story sounds familiar - it’s the same script Tomlin tried with Russell Wilson last year. And that low standard is quite, Brownsie? Of course this didn’t have to happen. At the draft they knew they needed a long term answer at QB…but took a D-tackle. And now, if Jaxson Dart is good, that’s bad, and if Justin Fields beats Aaron Rodgers in Week One, well, it’s gonna get just plain ugly. A-listers like Rodgers might get ink, but summer blockbusters fall in the NFL’s offseason. The award winners don’t come out til Autumn… and if you can’t beat Patrick Mahomet, Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen in January. No matter which rust belt city you’re in... there’s no point to these fireworks. (And that reminds me, one last note to file away for next summer, Najee Harris - fireworks go in the sky, not your eye.) Let it begin! Ryan Clark joins the show to talk about Aaron Rodgers, cold shoulders and why Mike Tomlin never lost them a game. The Super Fuentes Brothers have the con in Miami. They’re gonna help me with some fantasy decisions as the Angel & Devil on my shoulder. Newsman Bradley is in NYC with the black and white news. Also, big shoutout to my guy Tony in Encino, CA, who told me at soccer practice the other day he’s a Football American! Be a patriot, subscribe! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices