Stephen A. Smith's affinity for Aaron Rodgers has been tested by the New York Jets' 2-5 start. But it was Sunday night's 37-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers that may have finally brought the ESPN host's unflinching support to come to an end.
'This affects me,' Smith began slowly, as if he planned to use First Take's entire two-hour time slot on the subject. 'This hurts me to say. I have to say I've thought about it very deeply, and I got to tell ya, everybody knows how I feel about Aaron Rodgers.
'He has looked so bad, I've actually looked at the screen and found myself saying, 'It might be time for him to really retire,' Smith said, like a judge passing down a life sentence.
Smith's assessment of Rodgers was obvious to anyone with access to Jets box scores. He's thrown six interceptions in his last three games, the Jets haven't won since Week 3, and the four-time MVP has been sacked a whopping 17 times on the season.
Then there's the film of the losses, which has somehow been even worse than the box scores.
Aaron Rodgers has now thrown six interceptions over his last three games
Stephen A. Smith reluctantly criticized Rodgers on Monday, saying the Jets QB should retire
'I'm not used to seeing this Aaron Rodgers,' Smith said. 'I mean, six interceptions over the last three games, no leadership whatsoever, everything seems to be up in the air and a bit awry and off-kilter.'
Smith also took issue with a post-game comment from Rodgers, who was asked how he can keep his teammates believing they can win.
'Stop listening to you guys, number one,' Rodgers said, reverting back to his 2021 and 2022 form, when he had a more contentious relationship with reporters.
Although Smith has been quick to defend Rodgers in the past, he drew a line when Rodgers snapped at reporters Sunday.
'No direction whatsoever,' Smith continued, 'shows up to the press conference and points to the media like we were the ones on the field dropping his passes or throwing interceptions like he was throwing interceptions or whatever.'
The Jets have already fired their head coach, Robert Saleh, replaced him with interim Jeff Ulbrich and demoted offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, whose play-calling duties have been handed to quarterbacks coach Todd Downing.
What's more, they've acquired Rodgers' favorite target, wide receiver and former Packers star Davante Adams, from the Raiders.
A discouraged Aaron Rodgers walks off the field in Pittsburgh after the Jets fell to 2-5
Jets Quarterback Aaron Rodgers reacts to loss against Buffalo Bills
The only change left to make, it would seem, is at quarterback.
'I remember on several occasions throughout the years, fellas, covering basketball we've seen players on the basketball court and it was like 'Yo, whatever they once were, is over,' Smith said.
'And I'm hesitant to say that about Aaron Rodgers because I've seen him throw pinpoint passes, but I've also seen an alarming level of inconsistency. I've seen the Jets bereft of leadership.'
Smith went on to put Rodgers' name in a category with Dan Marino's, Tom Brady's and Peyton Manning's, but was quick explain the Super Bowl champion is no longer an elite passer.
'And what I'm seeing of him now is a shell of that person,' Smith said. 'And I hate it. It looks very, very bad. But he ain't the bad man I know him to be. This year he's just been bad.'
