Aaron Rodgers, the star quarterback for the New York Jets, has been estranged from his parents, Ed and Darla Rodgers, for years, but he remains hopeful for a future reconciliation. In a candid interview for Ian O’Connor’s new biography, Out of the Darkness: The Mystery of Aaron Rodgers, the 40-year-old athlete expressed his desire to rebuild his relationship with his family.
“It’s definitely possible,” Rodgers shared with O’Connor, emphasizing that the timing has always been a significant factor in their strained relationship. “Every time I think it’s getting closer, some weird things happen. But I would like a relationship with my dad for sure.”
The biography also features separate interviews with Ed and Darla, who echo their son’s sentiments and express a willingness to mend their fractured bond. “We’re all about forgiving and forgetting,” Darla said, adding that they would be open to resuming their relationship with Aaron in any capacity.
“We would be so happy to move on. … Maybe we don’t see him all the time. We’re OK with however it’s framed. The new relationship needs to start, and it just feels weird that we can’t communicate even big-life things with him.”
Ed also emphasized their unwavering love for Aaron, stating, “We have unconditional love for him. No matter what happened, we would just like the relationship.”
The Rodgers family has been the subject of speculation over the years, with many assuming that religious differences were at the root of their estrangement. However, Ed and Darla clarified that their faith was not a factor in the rift. “We’re not rigid. We’re not hard-line, or whatever people have said in the news,” Ed explained.
“We’re just people trying to follow God. We’re not divisive. The stuff that’s out there that I’ve read, it’s just not true. Our view on all that, on God, religion, was not part of the divisiveness that happened. It was not a part at all, and people think it was. It’s not.”
Despite the ongoing estrangement, Ed and Darla have continued to publicly support their son. They even attended Aaron’s first game with the New York Jets in September 2023, where he suffered a devastating Achilles tendon injury after just four snaps. According to O’Connor, the couple bought their tickets through the Jets, and Aaron was aware of their plans to attend the game, despite the distant nature of their relationship.
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A glimpse of hope emerged when Aaron and his father secretly reunited at the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe in July 2023. Ed had purchased tickets to the event without Aaron’s knowledge, and the two shared a brief but meaningful meeting during one of Aaron’s breaks.
Reflecting on the encounter, Aaron said, “I could do a lot of things. But I just thought, ‘What’s best in this moment, and what kind of gift could I give him?’ Because I do love him. I don’t have animosity toward him, even with all the stuff that’s been said and done.”
The brief reunion was the first time Aaron and Ed had spoken in nearly nine years. The pair exchanged an embrace and shared “I love yous” before parting ways again. Ed described the meeting as “amazing,” while Aaron recalled it as a “special moment.”
As Rodgers continues his career and personal journey, the possibility of a full reconciliation with his parents remains uncertain, but the willingness on both sides suggests that healing could be on the horizon.
