Aaron Rodgers Criticizes NFL Medical Staff Over Jalen Hurts' Blood Clot Diagnosis

Aaron Rodgers has publicly criticized the NFL's medical leadership regarding the handling of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts' recent blood clot diagnosis. Rodgers' comments, made in Paris ahead of the Steelers' game against the New Orleans Saints, signal a reopening of his past disputes with the league's medical protocols and personnel.

Hurts was diagnosed with blood clots after sustaining a calf injury from a cleat during a game against the Los Angeles Rams. Despite the diagnosis, he played in a subsequent game in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Reports indicate Hurts had a limited night's sleep in the hospital prior to the London game. Upon returning to the U.S., he was placed on injured reserve and missed the Eagles' game against the Carolina Panthers.

The situation prompted the NFL players' association to call for a "full investigation" into the matter. Rodgers, weighing in on the controversy, directly referenced Dr. Allen Sills, the NFL's Chief Medical Officer, with whom he has had past disagreements.

"I don't have a close relationship with Jalen. Obviously, we're in the quarterback fraternity, so you don't want to see anything like that happen to anybody, especially a guy who's still in football," Rodgers stated. "Obviously, I don't know all the details about what's going on. All I've seen is what's been printed. Allen Sills, he's the guy in charge of all things medical at the NFL office. And he and I haven't always seen eye-to-eye about things. So, I can't say I'm surprised."

This latest commentary revisits the contentious relationship Rodgers has had with the NFL's medical establishment, most notably during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Rodgers became a prominent figure in discussions surrounding vaccine protocols when he sought alternative treatments, a request rejected by the league. This resulted in penalties for Rodgers and has fueled his skepticism towards league-mandated health directives.

Rodgers also recently voiced strong criticism of Dr. Anthony Fauci, calling him a "coward" and a "criminal" in a public appearance. This criticism followed Fauci's testimony before a Senate hearing.

In response to the scrutiny surrounding Hurts' situation, Dr. Sills has defended the medical staff, asserting that external pressures do not influence their decisions regarding player safety. "The notion that there's external factors that any of our physicians would put ​a player in harm's way - that's nonsense," Sills stated.