Jets' Aaron Rodgers Praises Bill Belichick, Nick Saban After Patriots, Alabama Exits

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers expressed his admiration for longtime New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban on Thursday.

During an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers noted that he has "a ton of respect" for both Belichick and Saban:

Saban announced Wednesday that he is retiring from coaching after 17 years at Alabama and 28 years as a collegiate head coach overall, while Belichick announced Thursday that he and the Patriots mutually agreed to part ways after 24 years in New England.

Rodgers referred to Belichick and Saban as "game-changers" and "trailblazers" in the sport of football due to everything they accomplished at the professional and collegiate levels.

During their respective careers, Rodgers and Belichick went up against each other on multiple occasions, and it is clear that they had mutual respect for each other.

Rodgers told a story about Belichick waiting on the field until after he finished an interview while he was quarterback of the Green Bay Packers so they could have a conversation after the game.

The future Hall of Fame quarterback noted that it was uncommon since coaches often leave the field after shaking hands with the other coach, so it spoke to acclaim they had for each other.

Rodgers also talked about his history with Saban, recalling that Saban interviewed him in preparation for the NFL draft while Saban was head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

He called the impact Saban had on hundreds of student-athletes during his career "exponential," and congratulated him on all of his accomplishments.

Belichick is arguably the greatest head coach in NFL history, as he won six Super Bowls and 17 AFC East titles in 24 years with the Patriots, but even with all he has accomplished, he appears set to continue his coaching career elsewhere.

As for Saban, he is ready for retirement after winning seven national championships as a head coach, but Rodgers expressed hope that he remains involved with the game somehow, even if it is as a television analyst.

Rodgers suggested that the sport of football is better off when both Belichick and Saban are part of it.

McAfee noted that Rodgers was the final person Belichick spoke to on the field while he was still head coach of the Patriots, as they conversed after the Jets' 17-3 win in Week 18.

Assuming Rodgers plays and Belichick coaches beyond this season, it is possible they could compete against each other again in the future.