Future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers hit out at prominent NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport on Tuesday after an incorrect claim about the timing of his upcoming "darkness retreat".
Rodgers had previously used his weekly media appearance on the Pat McAfee Show to explain how he was going on a darkness retreat now that the season has finished, with the hope that it will, among other things, provide more clarity about his playing future.
On Saturday, Rapoport and fellow NFL Network journalist Tom Pelissero released a story claiming Rodgers' retreat was set to begin on Monday – which was not the case.
Appearing on the Pat McAfee Show the day after it was reported he would "enter the darkness", Rodgers explained that the actual date has been locked in for four months, and that reporters claiming to have sources inside his camp "don't know s***".
"There's an inner circle and in my inner circle, nobody talks to Ian Rapoport [or] Adam Schefter or to any of those people," he said. "Just stop with the fake news. I speak for myself and I will continue to do that.
"I have no problem with Ian Rapoport, [Adam] Schefter, I think they’re really good at their jobs. When it comes to me, they don’t know s***.
"They really don’t. They don’t have people in my inner circle who are sources. I can promise you that. Anybody who would talk to them is not in my inner circle. It’s that simple.
"So I’ve had this plan on the books for four months, for the same time. When someone like that goes on and says something that’s not true it creates a story that's bull****, and it just keeps going, and going, and going."
He went on to add: "How many f****** narratives can come from one [appearance last week] where they didn’t even actually listen to what I said? Or the intent? Or the tone?
"Again, nothing against Rapoport, but he doesn't have anybody who knows legitimately what's going on in my life. So for him to say something, 'Monday through Thursday I was supposed to be in there' – that was never the plan. It hasn't been the plan for four months. So don’t make s*** up.
"I don’t have your number, you're not gonna have my number, you do a great job, but not when it comes to my life, so stop talking about it."
The NFL Network report claimed that if Rodgers decides he wants to keep playing, but does not want to remain with the Green Bay Packers, then the franchise will look to facilitate a trade.