A Green Bay Packers insider criticized former Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers on social media early Tuesday, accusing him of cowardice over his handling of COVID-19 vaccination questions years earlier.
Peter Bukowski, host of the Locked On Packers podcast, posted on X in response to comments Rodgers made the previous day.
Bukowski quoted a clip of Rodgers appearing on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
In the clip, Rodgers was asked about his mindset entering what he has described as his final NFL season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rodgers replied, “I’m gonna plead the fifth. Like that absolute coward Tony Fauci. Absolute coward.”
Bukowski wrote: “At the very first chance Aaron Rodgers had to stand up for what he allegedly believed about the vaccine, he took the coward’s way out and lied about it.”
He continued: “Didn’t stand up for himself until he got caught lying about it. That’s cowardly behavior.”
Rodgers’ 2021 comments sparked widespread controversy during his time with the Packers. When asked that August if he had been vaccinated, Rodgers said he was “immunized.”
He later tested positive for COVID-19 in November 2021 and acknowledged he had not received a vaccine.
Rodgers said at the time that teammates, Packers officials and the NFL knew his status. He maintained he had followed an alternative immunization protocol and cited personal medical reasons for avoiding the available vaccines.
The NFL and Packers fined Rodgers for protocol violations, including appearing unmasked at news conferences. Bukowski has covered the Packers for years and previously discussed Rodgers’ approach to the issue. Rodgers has remained outspoken about the pandemic response in subsequent years.
On Monday’s show, he expanded on his criticism of Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Fauci recently invoked the Fifth Amendment more than 100 times during Senate testimony.
Rodgers questioned the media’s coverage of that hearing compared with attention given to his own 2021 statements.
Bukowski’s post quickly drew hundreds of replies and likes. Some users defended Rodgers’ earlier stance and criticized Bukowski’s characterization. Others agreed with the assessment of Rodgers’ initial public comments.
Rodgers is preparing for the 2026 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers after previous stops with the Packers and New York Jets. He also played the 2025 NFL season for the Steelers. He has said this will be his last year in the league.
Bukowski’s comments revive discussion of the lingering tensions from the 2021 season in Green Bay. Neither Rodgers nor representatives for the Steelers immediately responded to the post.
