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Aaron Rodgers Channels His Inner Will Smith to Clap Back at Nathaniel Hackett Criticism

Published 07/31/2023, 7:41 AM EDT

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Aaron Rodgers is not having it with Sean Payton’s trash talk. The Jets‘ star QB went off on the Broncos‘ new head coach for dissing his buddy Nathaniel Hackett. Hackett, who just joined the Jets as their OC, got roasted by Payton for his awful stint with the Broncos. Payton called it the ‘worst ever in NFL history’ and blamed him for ruining Russell Wilson’s season.

Comparing the Broncos’ handling of Wilson’s arrival to the ‘very formal celebration’ surrounding Aaron Rodgers’ move to the New York Jets, Payton struck a nerve. Rodgers, never one to shy away from fighting for his team, promptly channeled his inner Will Smith, famous for snappy comebacks.

Aaron Rodgers’ explosive comments!

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In an explosive retort during a recent interview, Rodgers expressed his frustration. He shared his disappointment in Payton’s insecurity, believing the coach resorted to attacking others to protect himself from potential failures.

“It made me feel bad that someone who has accomplished a lot in the league is that insecure that they have to take another man down to set themselves up for some sort of easy fall if it doesn’t go well for that team this year,” Rodgers conveyed to the NFL Network.

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With his eyes firmly set on Lombardi 2023, Rodgers vents his anger at the unwarranted distractions. Channeling Will Smith at the 2022 Oscars, he firmly demanded that Payton keeps his coaches’ names out of his mouth. “I think it was way out of line, inappropriate, and I think he needs to keep my coaches’ names out of his mouth.” As the NFL drama unfolds, Rodgers remains focused on the ultimate prize.

Payton’s apology couldn’t quell Rodgers’ anger

Last Friday, Payton was on fire, passionately discussing standards and messages, while confidently proving he’s capable of achieving greatness in any situation. When Payton spoke about the Broncos, he didn’t hold back, expressing his disdain for their approach to the offseason. However, Coach’s remarks stirred up some discontent, leading Rodgers to respond angrily, even though Payton quickly expressed regret.

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“I still had my Fox hat on, not my coaching hat,” Payton confessed, humbly acknowledging his mistake. “I need a bit more filter,” he admitted after his comments on Hackett, displaying his commitment to growth and restraint. Lesson learned, and a wiser Payton emerges from the flames. But despite everything that happened, Rodgers refused to forgive. He criticized Payton harshly and enthusiastically praised Hackett as his all-time favorite coach.

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Team Broncos & Russell Wilson last season was an utter disaster, sporting the NFL’s worst offense. And, most probably, that’s why Payton didn’t mince words, suggesting there was plenty of dirt surrounding the debacle. Regardless, with Payton as the new authority in town, the culture is undergoing a much-needed transformation for the Broncos.

WATCH THIS STORY – Days After His Phenomenal Leveling With Aaron Rodgers, Kansas City Chiefs Seal the Pinnacle Spot by Virtue of the 2X Super Bowl Champion, Patrick Mahomes

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Written by:

Mohammad Asif Ansari

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Mohammad Asif Ansari is an NFL writer at EssentiallySports, with a passion for bringing sports news to life through engaging content. As an ardent sports fan, Ansari likes to cover core sports angles. His latest article, “Dallas Cowboys Reportedly Making It Difficult for Aaron Rodgers to Pursue His Dream Team” got a hoard of interested sports readers.
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