Why Cris Collinsworth Thinks Aaron Rodgers Would Make a Perfect Commentator

Aaron Rodgers, the quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, is likely playing his final season in the NFL. Rodgers has won four MVP awards and has had one of the greatest careers in football history. When he retires, many people are wondering what he will do next — and one famous TV commentator thinks he knows the perfect answer.

NBC commentator Cris Collinsworth said on Sunday night's broadcast that Rodgers would be a great fit in the broadcast booth. Collinsworth compared Rodgers to tennis legend John McEnroe, who became a well-known commentator for ESPN after his playing career ended. McEnroe was famous for being very direct and saying exactly what was on his mind, which made him exciting to listen to. Collinsworth believes Rodgers has that same quality.

"The bottom line is, like I always thought that John McEnroe, when he was a tennis announcer, you knew from what he said as a player, like he didn't withhold anything, right?" Collinsworth said during the broadcast. "Officials and whatever, he was gonna let you know exactly what he felt, which is great for a broadcaster, and I think Aaron would fall into that same category." He added, "We know at the very least we're gonna know what he's thinking." Collinsworth's point is that Rodgers would not hold back his opinions, which can make for great television.

There is a strong trend of NFL players and coaches moving into broadcasting after they leave the game. For example, quarterback Russell Wilson retired from the NFL this past offseason and quickly landed a job with CBS. Former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin also stepped away from coaching in January and then joined NBC Sports as an analyst. These moves show that TV networks are eager to hire well-known football figures.

It is still unclear whether Rodgers would want to work in broadcasting right away. He might take some time off before jumping into a TV role, similar to what Tom Brady did after retiring. Brady eventually signed a big deal with Fox Sports to be a commentator. Some people think Rodgers might be more likely to take a studio job — where analysts discuss games in a TV studio — rather than calling games live from the broadcast booth.