Aaron Rodgers has spoken about his free agency recruitment and how a series of conversations with Mike Tomlin made him choose the Pittsburgh Steelers

On 'The Pat McAfee Show,' Rodgers emphatically defended the coach against mounting criticism around Pittsburgh: “Mike T is the man. Any hate, disrespect and the ilk is complete and utter bullshit,” he declared. “I was never talking to a head coach. … The surprise has been, just, what a great dude he is. What a great leader he is…”

LATROBE, Pa. — Aaron Rodgers has a well-documented suspicious streak, and at some point this past spring — during one of many conversations exploring a potential partnership — the four-time MVP wondered how Mike Tomlin’s recall could be so acutely accurate. Is he taking notes? Rodgers wondered.