Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers publicly addressed his past relationships with ex-girlfriends Danica Patrick and Shailene Woodley this week. On Thursday’s ‘Not Just Football’ podcast with teammate Cam Heyward, Rodgers challenged previous statements made by both women regarding their breakups and the nature of their time together. This public commentary comes as Rodgers enters what he describes as his final NFL season.
Rodgers initiated the discussion by stating that his former partners gained relevance primarily by mentioning his name, accusing them of falsely portraying him as a ‘monster partner,’ a description he dismissed as ‘f–king horse s–t,’ as reported by The Cut and Page Six. He questioned why they continued to discuss him years after their relationships ended.
Addressing his relationship with former professional race car driver Danica Patrick, which spanned from early 2018 to 2020, Rodgers claimed Patrick was ‘depressed and not fun to be around’ following her retirement (Fox News, Page Six). He asserted that he did not end the relationship due to her mood, but rather because of a lack of intimacy. Rodgers recounted that after he declined her suggestion to buy a house together in Malibu, they sought counseling, and their relationship became strained when they were ‘stuck together’ during the COVID-19 pandemic (Fox News, Page Six). This account contrasts with Patrick’s previous statements in a 2025 interview on ‘The Sage Steele Show,’ where she described the relationship as ’emotionally abusive’ and alleged Rodgers leaves a ‘trail of blood.’ Rodgers vehemently denied being ‘blindsided’ by the split, saying her version was ‘not what happened by any means’ (Fox News, Page Six).
Allegations Regarding Shailene Woodley’s Engagement
Rodgers then moved on to his engagement to actress Shailene Woodley, which began in December 2020. He recalled proposing, and Woodley accepting, but then claimed that ‘not a couple of days after that,’ she told him, ‘I got to go f–k this guy’ before they were to be married (The Cut, Page Six). He further alleged that Woodley’s narrative that he ‘ruined her life and gave her crazy depression because I left her’ was inaccurate, stating she was the one who ‘took off the ring by March’ 2021 and explicitly told him, ‘I don’t want to be with you’ (The Cut, Page Six).
Rodgers indicated that attempts to reconcile after the engagement ended were unsuccessful, and he maintained there was ‘no relationship in ’22 to break off’ (The Cut). These claims directly counter parts of Woodley’s public statements. The actress has not explicitly accused Rodgers of ruining her life, but told Outside magazine in 2024 that their relationship ‘was not right. But it was beautiful’ (The Cut, Page Six).
Woodley also described experiencing a ‘really awful, traumatic thing’ in early 2022, and feeling ‘the lowest low of my life,’ calling it a ‘toxic situation’ (The Cut, Page Six). She previously shared with Outside that she ‘felt like I lost my soul, my self, my happiness, my joy’ and ‘understood depression and anxiety and, like, complete soul detachment,’ realizing her depression when she ‘looked at a tree and felt nothing’ (Page Six).
Celebrity Relationships and Public Scrutiny
Rodgers concluded his remarks by asserting that both women were leveraging their past connections to him for attention and ‘clicks,’ stating, ‘The height of their fame was when they were with me’ (The Cut, Page Six). He urged them to ‘move on with your life,’ insisting he was ‘actually a good partner’ (Page Six).
This public commentary by a prominent athlete about private relationships highlights the pervasive intersection of celebrity, media, and personal life. Such disputes, amplified by digital platforms, often capture international attention, reflecting a global fascination with public figures and their private dramas, regardless of geographical location. For fans and the general public worldwide, these stories offer a glimpse into the pressures faced by high-profile individuals, often leading to widespread discussion across various media.
Rodgers has since married a woman identified as Brittani, whose last name remains publicly unknown (The Cut, Page Six). He reportedly met her in 2017 and expressed regret for not proposing to her earlier, according to The Cut. As for his exes, Woodley is not publicly in a relationship, while Patrick is reportedly dating a ‘mystery man’ (Page Six).
The recent comments from Aaron Rodgers reignite public debate over celebrity privacy and the narratives surrounding high-profile breakups. As Rodgers heads into what he states will be his final NFL season, the ongoing discussion underscores the scrutiny that accompanies public figures, particularly when personal histories become subjects of media attention and conflicting accounts.
Image: Fox News
Sources consulted
- Fox News: Aaron Rodgers blasts Danica Patrick for being ‘depressed’ during their relationship
- The Cut: Aaron Rodgers Sure Has a Lot to Say About His Exes
- Page Six: Aaron Rodgers eviscerates ‘horse s–t’ claims he’s a ‘monster’ after exes Shailene Woodley, Danica Patrick speak out
Livia Dorne covers film, television, music, and pop culture with a keen editorial perspective. She delivers engaging commentary, reviews, and behind-the-scenes insights that keep readers connected to the entertainment world. Her style blends critique with storytelling.
