Aaron Rodgers Balks At COVID Death Joke ... 'I Don't Find That Part Funny'
Aaron Rodgers wanted no parts of crass jokes about COVID-19, vaccines, and the deaths associated with the virus ... shutting down the attempts at humor in a hurry this week.
Rodgers appeared on Monday's episode of Barstool Sports' "Pardon My Take" -- and he was having a blast with the hosts of the show, Big Cat and PFT Commenter ... but the Packers star got serious quickly when the quips turned toward coronavirus-related deaths.
As Rodgers was speaking about the backlash he received for going public with his vaccine stance last year -- PFT joked, "How many people do you think you killed? What's your count?"
Big Cat added on, "How many grandmothers? Let's just do grandmothers."
Rodgers, who had been in a very playful mood the entire interview leading up to that point, said sternly, "I mean, I know you guys are f***ing around, but I don't find that part funny."
"I really don't," he added.
The trio changed topics moments later -- and the guys went on to laugh and joke with each other for another half an hour or so on the show.
There didn't appear to be any further awkward moments between the guys, and all three took a pic together following the conclusion of the interview.
Aaron Rodgers Says He Took Ivermectin To Fight COVID After Consulting W/ Joe Rogan
The 38-year-old has been willing to discuss his thoughts on COVID and the vaccines repeatedly throughout the last 12 months ... and has said that while he's not anti-vax, he doesn't feel like anyone should have to be forced to take the shots.
Clearly, though, he takes the matter very seriously ... and isn't ready to kid around about any of it.
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Shannon Sharpe Betting NFL Calls Aaron Rodgers Over Psychedelics ... 'That's Not A Good Look'
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Roger Goodell could be on Aaron Rodgers' Line 1 very soon ... 'cause Shannon Sharpe says he expects the NFL commish to call the Packers star after the QB admitted to using psychedelics earlier this week.
"I'm sure the NFL is probably going to give him a call and say, 'That's not a good look,'" the Hall of Fame tight end said Thursday.
If you missed it, Rodgers said on the most recent episode of the "Aubrey Marcus Podcast" that if he hadn't had a psychedelic experience in South America after ingesting the ayahuasca plant -- which contains DMT -- he might not have won the NFL's MVP award the past two seasons.
Aaron Rodgers Credits Psychedelic Ayahuasca Plant For 'Best Season Of My Career'
Rodgers raved over the plant brew's psychoactive effects ... saying he "had a magical experience" that helped lead him to become a better person and football player.
Sharpe says he has no issues with Rodgers' trip -- though he told us out at LAX he's fairly confident the NFL probably ain't feeling the same way.
"I don't know the NFL is too happy about him taking hallucinogenics," Sharpe said ... before adding, "I'm sure the commissioner is going to reach out and have a conversation with him."
Sharpe says it's unclear to him if the NFL could ultimately punish Rodgers over it all.
But, again, the former Broncos star reiterated he's glad it all worked out for A-Rodge.
"It seems weird to me," he said, "but whatever helps a person become a better person and find his inner self -- I'm cool with it."
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Aaron Rodgers Psychedelics Led To My Best Season ... Helped Me Love Myself
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Aaron Rodgers says the secret to his recent NFL dominance is a psychedelic experience in South America ... claiming the ayahuasca plant helped him improve his mental health and have the "best season of my career."
Ayahuasca -- which contains DMT -- has been used socially and medically for centuries ... and some consumers credit the plant brew for spiritual healing.
The Super Bowl champ says it's not a "coincidence" he returned from South America and won his next two MVP awards in 2020 and 2021 ... and is speaking out to change the negative stereotypes around using ayahuasca.
"I think there's so many myths and rumors about it," Rodgers said on the "Aubrey Marcus Podcast."
"The fear around it is, you're going to s*** yourself, it's just a big throw-up fest ... but the negative framework of it is that is the experience, not the deep and meaningful and crazy mind-expanding possibilities and also deep self-love and healing that can happen on the other side."
Rodgers says his intention for the first experience was to find out what pure love feels like ... and it worked.
"I had a magical experience with the sensation of feeling a hundred different hands on my body imparting a blessing of love and forgiveness for myself and gratitude for this life from what seemed to be my ancestors," he added.
38-year-old Rodgers says a previous experience with mushrooms led him to try ayahuasca ... and because he did, he has a new perspective on life.
"To be way more free at work, as a leader, as a teammate, as a friend, as a lover. I really feel like that experience paved the way for me to have the best season of my career."
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Aaron Rodgers Open To Fixing Family Relationship ... 'I Believe In Healing'
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Aaron Rodgers believes it is possible to make amends with his estranged family one day ... saying he's truly grateful for his upbringing and holds no resentment over how things played out.
The Green Bay Packers superstar had a messy falling out with his parents and two brothers several years ago ... and his separation from the family was famously covered during Jordan's appearance on "The Bachelorette" in 2016, despite the cause of the rift remaining a mystery.
Rodgers is now opening up about where things stand with his fam ... and he says the relationship is not permanently severed.
"I do believe in healing and I believe in the possibility of reconciliation at some point," Rodgers said on the "Aubrey Marcus Podcast" this week. "But, it's a different journey for all of us, and to judge on the outside about what should be or what it should look like, or who's wrong or who's right is just a game I've never wanted to play and still don't want to play."
"The most important thing for me is deep love and gratitude for them, and for the lessons I learned, and for the way I was raised, and hope for the future," he added.
"But, who knows what that future is gonna look like, when it's gonna look like, when time is gonna come."
"But, I have no bitterness in my heart. I have no resentment," Rodgers continued. "I just have deep love and appreciation for the lessons that I learned, and the fact that if I hadn't been raised that way -- all the good and all the frustrating -- there's no way I'd be sitting here today."
While Rodgers had previously stated he spent time "with my folks" for his birthday in 2018, it was reported as recently as January 2022 that he still does not speak with his family.
But, given his recent comments ... it seems like that could someday change.
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Aaron Rodgers 'Con Air' QB ... Strolls Into Packers Camp Looking Like Nicolas Cage
Aaron Rodgers made quite the entrance at Packers camp on Tuesday ... strollin' into the building looking exactly like Nicolas Cage's character in "Con Air!!"
Check out video of A-Rodge heading into the Green Bay facility to begin his 18th season in the NFL -- dude was a clone of Cameron Poe.
The 38-year-old rocked long hair, a white tank top and blue jeans ... just like Cage in the 1997 action thriller.
And, yes, this all did appear to be planned ... 'cause Rodgers used famous quotes from the flick when throwing up pics of his Day 1 'fit on his Instagram.
"#greatestactorofalltime," Rodgers said. "What do you think I'm gonna do? I'm gonna save the f***in' day! #cameronpoe #day1 #year18"
Of course, Rodgers has been known to cause stirs with his training camp attire -- just last year, he headed into practice wearing a "The Office" t-shirt and some sick shades.
📍 Lambeau Field@AaronRodgers12 | #PackersCamp pic.twitter.com/iEy1Ar4rOw
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) July 27, 2021 @packers
That look eventually led to one of Rodgers' best career seasons -- can the "Con Air" copy come through similarly?
Season kicks off in just a few weeks ... stay tuned!
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Packers' AJ Dillon Cop Shoves Star RB At Lambeau Field Police Launch Internal Review
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A cop forcefully grabbed Green Bay Packers star AJ Dillon and shoved him in the back during a soccer game at Lambeau Field this weekend ... and now, police say they've launched an internal review into the matter.
The incident happened on Saturday -- when during a weather delay at the Manchester City vs. FC Bayern match, Dillon hopped down onto the field in order to rile up fans in attendance.
How does the Green Bay cop not know who AJ Dillon is? pic.twitter.com/d75uJnxqO1
— Atlas2686 (@Atlas2686) July 24, 2022 @Atlas2686
According to Dillon, two security guards gave him permission to be on the field, and even helped him get down from his seat "so I could do a lambeau leap and hype up the crowd."
But, videos show one cop apparently didn't get that message -- and got physical with the tailback as he was preparing to jump over the wall behind one of the end zones.
Video of AJ Dillon almost being denied a Lambeau Leap during the rain delay #Packers pic.twitter.com/ukt6kCXB6Q
— Charlie Dern (@charlesdern) July 24, 2022 @charlesdern
The cop eventually let go of the 24-year-old -- who later said despite the aggressive nature of the interaction, he wasn't upset about it at all.
"Just miscommunication between parties," Dillon wrote on his Twitter page on Sunday. "The @GBPolice are great people and I’m glad we have them down there for our games to keep us safe. Standing there in the pouring rain with all those people it’s hard to know what’s going on with just one. All good."
Just miscommunication between parties, the @GBPolice are great people and I’m glad we have them down there for our games to keep us safe. Standing there in the pouring rain with all those people it’s hard to know what’s going on with just one. All good 🤝🫶🏽 https://t.co/xCKPhoJlWK
— AJ “Quadzilla” Dillon (@ajdillon7) July 24, 2022 @ajdillon7
A spokesperson for the Green Bay Police Dept. tells TMZ Sports ... "It is clear that there was a miscommunication between the Officer and Mr. Dillon."
"The Green Bay Police Department appreciates the perspective and supportive words from Mr. Dillon. The Green Bay Police Department Professional Standards/Internal Affairs Division has initiated a review of this incident."
A.J. Dillon had a 92% catch rate last year.
— Zareh Kantzabedian (@ZKantzFF) July 20, 2022 @ZKantzFF
Before you say, “Oh, they were easy check downs.”
Well. About that. pic.twitter.com/r2IQNx3HE5
Dillon, meanwhile, is slated to report to Packers training camp this week -- and is expected to have a huge role in the team's offense this year.
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Aaron Rodgers Gets 1st Tattoo ... 'Deep And Meaningful' Piece On Forearm
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Aaron Rodgers' body is no longer tattoo-free ... the quarterback just revealed he got ink put on him for the first time in his life.
The Green Bay Packers star shared photos of the new tat on Wednesday afternoon ... revealing his left forearm now features an eyeball, astrology signs, lions and much more.
Rodgers declined to get into the specifics of what the ink meant to him ... but he did say the artwork was both "deep and meaningful."
Famous artist Balazs Bercsenyi did the piece on Rodgers ... and Aaron made sure to shout him out while revealing the body art.
"Grateful for his mastery and friendship," Aaron said of Bercsenyi. "There's a deep and meaningful story and connection to absolutely each element of this art piece, and I'll share a little more about that one day."
"For now, just thankful for @balazsbercsenyi and his patience and artistry. #tattoo #astrology #theelements"
Several of Rodgers' Packers teammates are already weighing in on the new ink ... with his good buddy David Bakhtiari writing in a comment on the pics, "I hope this is a henna tattoo."
"Yatted up 🤘🏽," receiver Allen Lazard added.
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Brett Favre I Expect A Drop-Off From Davante Adams ... Without Aaron Rodgers
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If you've got Davante Adams on your fantasy team, it might be time to sell high ... 'cause Brett Favre tells TMZ Sports he's expecting a drop-off from the wideout now that he's left Aaron Rodgers.
Favre made it clear it's no shade on Adams or Derek Carr -- the receiver's new QB in Las Vegas -- he just truly believes Rodgers made the 29-year-old that much better.
"It's just hard to shift gears," Favre said, "especially from a player as prolific as Aaron Rodgers."
Adams was a stat monster in Green Bay, particularly this past season ... when he caught 123 balls for 1,553 yards and 11 TDs.
Favre, though, is expecting that to change in 2022-23 after he was traded to the Raiders ... telling us, "I'd be shocked if he had the same year."
"I think Derek Carr is a very good quarterback," Brett said. "But, he's not in Aaron's league yet. May never be. And, that's no disrespect."
As for how Rodgers will fare without Adams ... Favre clearly believes it won't impact the future Hall of Famer too much.
In fact, Brett tells us he still believes the Packers have a great shot at getting another Super Bowl title this season.
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Aaron Rodgers & Shailene Woodley Couple Breaks Up ... For Good This Time??
Aaron Rodgers and Shailene Woodley might be done for real this time, 'cause after rekindling their romance a few months back, the A-list couple has reportedly broken up once again.
Remember, the couple briefly split in February -- after about two years of dating and an engagement -- but it didn't last long 'cause they were spotted out together shortly after ending the relationship.
38-year-old Rodgers took 30-year-old Woodley to teammate David Bakhtiari's California wedding at the beginning of March. The NFL MVP also shared a mushy Instagram post with the actress, thanking Shailene for showing him "what unconditional love looks like."
Shailene and Aaron yesterday at Frankie and David’s weeding! 👀 pic.twitter.com/Y2Ozr4JJFo
— . (@dddspeaking) March 6, 2022 @dddspeaking
But, it seems it ultimately wasn't meant to be ... the couple has recently split, according to multiple reports.
Shailene reportedly wanted to make the relationship work, but soon realized after getting back together that everything had to be on Aaron's terms ... and that didn't work for her.
The couple started dating shortly after the Packers QB and Danica Patrick broke up in 2020. Aaron shocked his fans at the beginning of 2021 when he announced he'd popped the question to Woodley.
Bottom line for Aaron and Shailene ... they're just two different people in two different spots and parting ways was best for the famous couple.
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Aaron Rodgers Courtside W/ Cobb, Mallory Edens ... At Bucks Playoff Game
Aaron Rodgers was front and center at the Bucks' playoff game in Milwaukee on Wednesday ... hanging out with his bestie/teammate Randall Cobb and Mallory Edens.
The Bucks took on the Chicago Bulls in Game 2 of their first-round matchup at the Fiserv Forum ... and Rodgers -- who owns 1% of the team -- was in the building to check it out.
.@AaronRodgers12 & @rcobb18 in the house tonight. pic.twitter.com/d44Ik0egLZ
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) April 21, 2022 @Bucks
Rodgers sat right on the court with his trusted target ... as the Bucks heiress sat to their left. The group looked laser-focused on the game, which ended up going in favor of the Bulls in a nail-biter.
Rodgers loves to frequent Bucks games -- and tends to leave the fans with memories. In 2019, Rodgers famously got into a beer-chugging contest with his star left tackle, David Bakhtiari ... and the MVP failed miserably.
Of course, Rodgers sitting courtside is a welcoming sight for Packers fans ... as they previously feared they would lose the star QB following a tough loss to the 49ers in the divisional round of the playoffs.
It's been pretty rare to see Rodgers out and about without Shailene Woodley ... as the couple has been damn near inseparable since their breakup(?) back in February.
Unfortunately for Rodgers and Bucks fans, Milwaukee lost 114-110 ... thanks to a 41-point performance by Bulls guard DeMar DeRozan.
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Packers' Aaron Jones New 'Showtyme' Leg Tattoo ... To Honor Football Career
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Aaron Jones will now certainly never forget how he made it to the NFL -- 'cause the Packers star just got memories of his football journey tattooed right on the front of his leg!!
TMZ Sports has learned ... the 27-year-old hit up his go-to guy, Bobby Ortiz, in El Paso, Texas to get a new leg tat representing his high school football career, his college one (at UTEP) and his time in the NFL.
The ink was put on his left shin ... featuring his old Burges High mascot, El Paso mountains, and the 915 area code with a mariachi -- a hat tip to his time at UTEP.
The tat also includes the NFL logo and Jones' nickname, "Showtyme" ... which he also named the restaurant that he opened up last year in El Paso.
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We're told Jones also got two other tattoos on his left and right thighs ... featuring the words "Relentless" and "Grit," which Ortiz tells us Jones wanted to always remember for motivational purposes.
Ortiz -- who's been tatting the Green Bay running back since he was 18 -- says he got the job done in two different sessions ... with each taking about two and a half hours to get done.
We're told the Pro Bowler -- who's UTEP's all-time leading rusher (4,114 yards) -- left some room on his shin so he can add another accolade down the road.
"He plans to add a Super Bowl trophy," Ortiz tells us, "when he wins it."
So, 2023? Jones and Aaron Rodgers are certainly hoping so.
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Aaron Rodgers Back with the Pack ... And Yes, Obvs Back w/ Shailene Too!!!
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Aaron Rodgers' off-season is off to a sunny start -- the guy is back in California with his girlfriend, sippin' a little vino and cashing in chips ... riding out the high of his fat payday.
The Packers QB -- who just got a huge deal from his longtime team in the form of a 3-year, $150-million contract -- was spotted out in Los Olivos this weekend with Shailene Woodley by his side ... with the two of them tagging along for a little wine tasting with friends.
We're told this photo, obtained by TMZ, was shot Saturday at the Demetria Winery -- and as you can see ... Aaron's chillin' with his shades on, and his glass tilted back. SW is right by his side ... but eyewitnesses tell us they were getting quite cozy, with lap-sitting, etc.
The boozy outing here follows what sounds like a little high-rolling in a nearby casino the day prior -- some folks saw Aaron and Shailene on Friday trying their luck at the Chumash Casino Resort in neighboring Santa Ynez, which is a stone's throw away from this winery.
Of course, Shailene was there too at what appears to be a cashier window ... standing right next to Aaron and sporting her signature curly 'do. Seems like a nice, long romantic getaway for the pair.
As if the recent runway plane photos didn't spell it out clearly enough, here's just more evidence that they're definitely back together and an item again. On top of this, they also recently went to a wedding together -- for a fellow Packer, no less -- so it's confirmed.
Now, whether they're still due to walk down the aisle is another story -- because it's not clear if they are or not. But it looks like they're on the right path when you see 'em like this.
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Green Bay Legend LeRoy Butler Packers Need To Trade For DK After Davante Adams Move
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Davante Adams out ... DK Metcalf in?
Packers legend LeRoy Butler says if he were running the show in Green Bay, that's exactly the next move he'd make ... telling TMZ Sports he'd give up a first-rounder for DK after the team traded away Adams.
We spoke with Butler just hours after Davante was officially shipped from Wisconsin to the Raiders -- and he told us while he understood the move, he thinks a corresponding one now needs to be made.
Specifically, he said the Packers should be on the phone with the Seahawks about DK.
"They're just giving everything away," Butler said of Seattle. "Give them a first-round pick."
Unclear if the Seahawks are willing to move Metcalf -- though after they just traded away Russell Wilson to Denver, Butler seems to think it'd be possible.
As for life without Adams in Green Bay, Butler didn't seem too stressed about losing the perennial All-Pro ... telling us he believes it'll force Aaron Rodgers to distribute the ball more evenly on the field.
And, when it comes to Rodgers' feelings about his top playmaker being dealt -- Butler says don't panic, telling us he's sure the QB is fine with it all at this point.
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Aaron Rodgers Back With The Pack!!! ... Not Retiring After All
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11:50 AM PT -- Aaron Rodgers is breaking his silence on his return to Green Bay ... saying he's "very excited to be back" ... but shutting down several details surround the deal.
"Hey everyone, just wanted to clear some things up," Rodgers tweeted. "YES I will be playing with the @packers next year, however, reports about me signing a contract are inaccurate, as are the supposed terms of the contract I 'signed.'"
Rodgers didn't specify the correct numbers ... but it's only a matter of time until we find out.
Breathe easy, Green Bay ... Aaron Rodgers is coming back.
The star quarterback's BFF Pat McAfee just announced the news ... saying, according to sources, Rodgers is slated to return to the Packers for at least the 2022 season.
McAfee said the 38-year-old seriously considered retirement -- but ultimately chose to return to Wisconsin after all.
McAfee added that reports of a new, mega, 4-year, $200 MILLION contract for the QB were "not accurate" -- though the ex-NFL player did not elaborate on what Rodgers' new deal (if there is one) will be.
As we reported, Rodgers had been feuding with Green Bay brass prior to the 2021 season -- upset over a variety of personnel moves -- and many felt it would ultimately be his final one in the green and yellow.
But, the two sides appeared to build a bridge throughout the 17-game season ... and Rodgers seemed much happier with the org. in recent months.
Rodgers is coming off his second straight MVP award -- and his recommitment to the team is expected to sway star receiver Davante Adams to return as well.
Story developing ...
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Aaron Rodgers I Pronounce You Man and Wife!!! Officiates Teammates Wedding
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12:59 PM PT -- While Aaron seemed to be flying solo during his officiating gig, he definitely wasn't all by himself throughout ... because he was seen chatting up some bridesmaids, but it might not be exactly what you think.
Check out these photos we obtained showing Aaron talking to a handful of ladies all wearing matching dresses, and at least one gent nearby. At first you might think ... Mr. Packer is back on the market and on the prowl, right???
Well, not so fast ... because we're getting some intel that his ex-fiancée, Shailene Woodley, may have actually been at this thing as Aaron's date. No visual evidence of that has emerged just yet, but we're being told she was spotted with him in and out of venue ... which, if true, means this face-to-face with these lovely gals was nothing but friendly.
Of course, it would also mean that Aaron is presumably back with Shailene, and that his open IG letter actually worked. In any case ... one thing's for certain -- the man-bun is for sure going strong!
Aaron Rodgers may have disengaged from his fiancée, but he hasn't given up on love, because he officiated the wedding of one of his teammates.
TMZ Sports obtained this video of the Green Bay Packers QB front and center at David Bakhtiari's wedding ceremony.
Aaron and David are not just teammates ... they're good pals.
Rodgers was in the thick of it ... sipping drinks, mingling with guests and chatting with the bridesmaids.
BTW ... the nuptials went down at the Rosewood Miramar Hotel near Santa Barbara. It's become a go-to place for romance. As we reported, Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian got engaged there a few months ago.
This coming week is a big one for Rodgers ... he's expected to announce Tuesday whether he'll stay with the Packers. As for whether he will or won't ... it's a toss-up.
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Aaron Rodgers I Still Love Shailene Woodley Despite Split
Aaron Rodgers says he still loves Shailene Woodley ... even though the couple has broke off their engagement and ended their romantic relationship.
The Green Bay Packers star penned the mushy message to his ex in a lengthy social media post late Monday night -- saying all kinds of nice things about the actress just days after their breakup.
"Thanks for letting me chase after you the first couple months after we met, and finally letting me catch up to you and be a part of your life," Rodgers wrote in the note.
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"Thanks for always having my back, for the incredible kindness you show me and everyone you meet, and for showing me what unconditional love looks like, I love you and am grateful for you."
Rodgers attached a photo of him and Woodley snuggling on a couch to the message.
Rodgers and Woodley ended things very recently ... with one report saying the quarterback got "cold feet" over their upcoming nuptials. The report added that Woodley felt Rodgers "neglected their relationship."
The two had dated for around two years -- with Rodgers announcing their engagement in Feb. 2021.
Rodgers' message Monday night wasn't just aimed at Woodley, he also complimented his Packers teammates and thanked them for the year.
Rodgers ended his note by urging his fans to "spread love and gratitude."
Unclear if the message is a precursor to the quarterback's retirement from football ... but Rodgers has said he's expecting to make a decision about his future very soon.
Stay tuned.