NFL Fans Loved Michael Wilbon's Public Criticism Of ESPN
Longtime ESPN host Michael Wilbon ripped the network's coverage of Aaron Rodgers on ESPN programming.
Another lengthy offseason saga ended when Rodgers re-signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Like several other NFL fans, Wilbon is tired of hearing about the veteran quarterback.
Wilbon chastised his employer for talking too much about Rodgers during Tuesday's First Take.
"Aaron Rodgers is a first-ballot Hall of Famer, a great quarterback for years. He's irrelevant now," Wilbon said. "What makes him relevant now, this network talking about him every day -- day in, day out -- as if they're hanging on, waiting for Patrick Mahomes three years ago."
The Pardon The Interruption mainstay challenged ESPN's "overstated" focus on Rodgers, insinuating that his show is the lone exception.
"All this breathless waiting on Aaron Rodgers. 'We're gonna chronicle him every day.' I'm blaming this network. Cause every time I turn on all of our shows, except one, I hear about Aaron damn Rodgers," Wilbon continued.
"Again, it makes it seem like I'm criticizing Aaron Rodgers. I'm not. I'm criticizing us. I'm criticizing 'Breaking News.' I'm criticizing every day, we have to talk about Aaron Rodgers. No, we don't. He's irrelevant."
Fans react to Wilbon's rant
Based on the social media response, viewers agree. Many fans publicly applauded Wilbon for calling out ESPN on an ESPN show.
"I love this," a fan wrote.
"Put up a statute (sic) of Michael Wilbon right now," 93.7 The Fan's Charlie Borges Jr. urged.
"Wilbon unloads on something with both barrels to this day," a fan said. "Gotta respect it."
"He must be tryna get fired cause he's making too much sense," a fan wrote.
"Say it louder for the people in the back, Mr. Wilbon," another fan encouraged.
Is Aaron Rodgers irrelevant?
Wilbon argued that Rodgers hasn't aged as gracefully as Tom Brady and LeBron James. The 42-year-old is certainly a long shot to win his fifth MVP this season, but his decision still seems like relevant NFL news.
Rodgers helped the Steelers capture the AFC North title with a 94.8 quarterback rating last season. Even if he's no longer elite, he probably represented Pittsburgh's best option under center for the 2026 season.
The 10-time Pro Bowler reunites with former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy for his 22nd season. Wilbon and fans may be tired of Rodgers constantly drawing out his choice to keep playing, but ESPN can't ignore a living legend either.
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This story was originally published May 19, 2026 at 12:18 PM.