“We Just Felt That We Didn’t Need To Talk No More”: Aaron Rodgers Relationship With Sauce Gardner After Signing With Steelers Revealed

Aaron Rodgers, after signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the upcoming NFL season, has left behind several close friends in the New York Jets after playing there for two full seasons. Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner recently revealed that while he was pretty close to Rodgers when they were both playing for the Jets, as of now, they are not on talking terms with each other.

There are, of course, no hard feelings between the two players, but Gardner admitted that after it became solidified that Rodgers will play for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the upcoming season, they both felt there was no reason to further communicate with each other. However, Sauce Gardner is also looking forward to playing against Rodgers in Week 1 NFL when the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Jets butt heads for the first time in the 2025 football season.

“We haven’t been in touch as much. At the beginning of the offseason, we were more in touch. I think once there was really a reality that he was going to go to Pittsburgh, we just felt that we didn’t need to talk no more. I feel like we seen us having to play each other Week 1. We really just seen the future — I’m joking about that. But no, we haven’t really talked. We play each other Week 1. I’m sure we going to talk before that, and it’s going to be a good game.” Sauce Gardner spoke to Complex about his friendship with Aaron Rodgers.

Aaron Rodgers, Sauce Gardner — New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner, left, and quarterback Aaron Rodgers perform their handshake before a preseason NFL game at MetLife Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in East Rutherford.

Aaron Rodgers was expected to dramatically change the New York Jets for the better after signing with them, but fate did not deem so. In his very first season with the team, Rodgers suffered an Achilles injury and performed poorly in his second year. The Jets eventually bid goodbye to Rodgers earlier this year.

Jun 10, 2025; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) drops back to pass during minicamp at their South Side facility. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images

Aaron Rodgers Trolled For First Look In Pittsburgh Steelers Jersey

On another note, Aaron Rodgers was spotted wearing the Pittsburgh Steelers jersey for the very first time in a picture shared by the team. Rodgers definitely looked dashing in the black-and-gold jersey, holding a football in one hand. However, NFL fans were merciless in the comments section.

Jun 10, 2025; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during minicamp at their South Side facility. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images

Most of the negative comments made fun of Rodgers’ aging look, with some comparing him to a middle-aged ‘divorced dad’. Others felt that 41-year-old Rodger definitely looked out of place in the team and should not be playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers at all.