Pat McAfee was caught off guard by Aaron Rodgers’ introduction in Tuesday’s premiere of “Hard Knocks.”
The star quarterback was –– obviously –– the HBO docuseries’ headliner after being traded to the Jets in April, and the show chronicled his entrance in New York with clips from various sports shows talking about the news.
“The Pat McAfee Show,” which broke the Rodgers news, was left out from the highlight reel and the 36-year-old former punter pointed a finger NFL Films, which produces the series.
“The biggest moment in our show’s history, top-10 stream in the history of the internet … and we are very thankful that Aaron chose to do that,” McAfee said on Wednesday’s segment of his show.
“Obviously, we have a good relationship with him. He breaks the news that he’s going to the Jets. They just kinda gave that on Hard Knocks to Colin Cowherd and I think Craig Carton and Nick Wright as well. NFL Films, I thought we had a good relationship. What the f–k is that?”
The former Packers signal-caller came on “The Pat McAfee Show” back in March and announced his intention to play for Gang Green in the 2023 season.
“Since Friday I made it clear that my intention was to play and my intention was to play for the New York Jets,” Rodgers said at the time.
McAfee reached out to NFL Films after the first of the five-episode series aired to express his grievances.
“I was a little taken aback. I was a little perturbed, sent a text or two to NFL Films like, ‘What the f–k?’ Do you guys have a vendetta against me?” McAfee said.
“’Is Colin paying you directly, is Nick Wright paying you directly? Is Craig Carton paying you directly? What the f–k did I do’ … but they said that’s not the case, there was a misunderstanding, miscommunication.”
Despite being snubbed from screen time, McAfee still enjoyed the “Hard Knocks” premiere that, along with Rodgers’ spotlight, delved into the journey of rising stars Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner.
“It was obviously a start to the show, I was like ‘Oh no, I have to hate this episode.’ And then as I started watching, I was like ‘this is awesome,’” McAfee said.
“I think this season’s going to be spectacular and it was very hard not to start thinking, ‘Oh, the Jets hype is real.’”
The “Hard Knocks” finale drops on Sept. 5 before the Jets open the 2023 campaign on Sept. 11 when they host the Bills at MetLife Stadium for “Monday Night Football.”