Aaron Rodgers always has a knack for staying in the news. His latest controversy arose when some fans claimed that Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans snubbed Rodgers from a postgame handshake after the game. The speculation grew quickly, with people suggesting that Ryans deliberately avoided Rodgers as payback for his supposed involvement in the Jets’ recent firing of head coach Robert Saleh, who had previously worked with Ryans during their time together with the San Francisco 49ers.
Despite the rumors, the claim was soon debunked, as video footage clearly showed that Rodgers and Ryans did, in fact, shake hands after the game—and they did so before just about anyone else. Still, enough noise was made online about the alleged snub that Rodgers felt the need to address it publicly. He did so during his regular appearance on the Pat McAfee Show on Friday.
Speaking to Pat McAfee and the crew, Rodgers clarified that he and Ryans had a genuine exchange of respect at the end of the game. He described the interaction, explaining that they shook hands, expressed mutual respect, and he wished Ryans good luck for the rest of the season.
“I shook his hand and told him how much I respected him,” Rodgers said on the show. “And I wished him good luck for the rest of the year. We did the whole respect thing—you tap him on the chest, the respect thing.”
Rodgers went on to explain that there was no animosity between the two of them and that the handshake was genuine, despite the baseless rumors circulating online. His comments put an end to the controversy, though it likely wasn’t the first—nor will it be the last—time Rodgers finds himself in the center of fan speculation.
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The connection between Rodgers and Ryans goes back quite a while. Rodgers has faced Ryans both as a player and as a coach. During Ryans’ time as a star linebacker for the Houston Texans and later the Philadelphia Eagles, Rodgers took some big hits and sacks from the talented defender.
Their battles continued when Ryans transitioned into coaching, first as an assistant and later as the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers. The rivalry between the two included some notable playoff games, with Ryans’ 49ers getting the better of Rodgers’ Packers in two postseason matchups.
Despite their past on-field battles, Rodgers has always shown respect for Ryans and his abilities, both as a player and as a coach. He’s acknowledged Ryans’ leadership and defensive prowess numerous times, and their handshake after the Jets-Texans game was no different—a professional and respectful acknowledgment of the other’s talent.
The notion that an NFL head coach would deliberately snub a player or fellow coach after a game is far-fetched. Even in cases where personal differences exist, such as the well-known tension between Bill Belichick and Eric Mangini when Mangini was coaching the Jets, both still managed to offer at least a brief handshake on the field.
The idea that Ryans, a coach known for his class and leadership, would intentionally snub Rodgers simply doesn’t hold water.
Ultimately, this “controversy” served as yet another reminder of how narratives can spiral out of control in the world of sports, especially when a polarizing figure like Aaron Rodgers is involved. But in this case, the handshake happened, respect was shown, and there’s no real drama to see here—just another day in the life of the NFL.
