Aaron Rodgers says his feelings about Dan Campbell have changed through the years

Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has little love for Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell – and it’s not because the Lions kept Green Bay out of the playoffs last season. On the Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday, the injured Jets star explained to the hosts why he hasn’t always held Campbell in high esteem.

“I have some mixed thoughts over the years,” Rodgers said. “He followed one of my all-time favorite coaches at Miami, Joe Philbin, and there were somethings said during that time that were maybe not the classiest stuff, in reference to Joe and how he led.

“We saw some of the same stuff from the guy in Denver about one of my all-time favorite coaches who is with us now. There’s a way of following coaches where you don’t have to slam them to make yourself feel better.”

After Joe Philbin got the axe from Miami, Campbell, a tight ends coach at the time, took over as interim head coach. Though it’s unclear exactly which comments Rodgers took issue with from that coaching transition in 2015 but Campbell was credited for instilling a new toughness in the Dolphins after Philbin’s departure.

Campbell endearing himself to Jets QB

Not one to close his mind off, Rodgers has since begun to change his opinion on the Lions skipper.

“As opposed to most people in our society, I believe in second and third chances. And people can learn from the mistakes they made. Just because someone said something 10 years ago doesn’t mean you have to cancel them for the rest of their life,” Rodgers said. “I will say, I had certain feelings about Dan but I’ve definitely been won over the most I see him talk.

“Like any great leader, you grow, evolve, adapt and become a better leader. I’m actually a fan, I wasn’t in the beginning but I’m a fan. Any player will tell you the thing they appreciate from coaches is being real, being authentically yourself… If anybody in the league is more themself than MCDC, I’d like to see it.”

Rodgers defends Nathaniel Hackett from Sean Payton

In the offseason, Rodgers did not hold back when responding to Sean Payton’s comments another one of his favorite coaches – Nathaniel Hackett.

Payton ripped Hackett for the job he did during his tenure as Broncos head coach — which lasted less than a full regular season. Quarterback Russell Wilson had career-low numbers and nothing seemed to click for an offense that many believed had the potential to win more than the five games that they did.

Rodgers and Hackett have history together in Green Bay — and have had immense success together as quarterback and offensive coordinator. It’s no surprise the former NFL MVP defended his coach.

“I love Nathaniel Hackett, and those comments were very surprising, for a coach to do that to another coach,” Rodgers told Peter Schrager on NFL+. “My love for Hack goes deep, you know, we had some great years together in Green Bay,” Rodgers said. “[We] kept in touch, I love him and his family, he’s an incredible family man and an incredible dad.

“And on the field, he is arguably my favorite coach I’ve ever had in the NFL. Just his approach to it, how he makes it fun. How he cares about the guys — just how he goes about his business with respect, with leadership, with honesty, with integrity.”