Aaron Rodgers: Enigma premieres December 17 on Netflix.
By Elazar Abrahams
For New Yorkers like us, Netflix’s new Aaron Rodgers documentary lands with terribly bitter timing. Filmed before the current 2024 NFL season, the three episode series has a big focus on Rodgers’ recovery from the Achilles injury that sidelined him just minutes into his highly anticipated debut with the Jets. Throughout the whole doc, the narrative is one that tees up a triumphant comeback, with the storied quarterback insisting he still has a few more years of peak performance ahead of him. No doubt the filmmakers expected December time to bring perfect conditions for this release — the Jets dominating the league with Aaron back at the helm, a playoff run on the way, and Super Bowl hopes high. But they were just that — hopes. As of writing this review, the Jets carry an abysmal 3-10 record and have been eliminated from the postseason after months of performing heartbreakingly awful on the field.
So, while unintentional, Aaron Rodgers: Enigma serves as a reminder that the four-time MVP’s glory days are behind him, and the documentary does little to salvage his myth.
The storytelling structure is interesting, being set in the present following Rodgers’ recovery and flashing back to pivotal moments in his life and career. There are highlights, such as candid reflections on his estrangement from his family (Rodgers is particularly harsh when describing them) or recounting the humiliation of falling in the draft from a projected first overall pick to the 24th selection. These glimpses of vulnerability provide some depth, but the series doesn’t dwell on them long enough to feel meaningful. Instead, the doc leans glosses over some of the most compelling parts of Rodgers’ career. His tumultuous relationship with Brett Favre during his early Green Bay days gets mentioned but not explored in any meaty detail.
The biggest takeaway for most viewers will be that Aaron Rodgers is an absolute kook, but we knew that already. Despite being three hours long, the series doesn’t provide real insight into what makes him so eccentric. As the title suggests, he remains an enigma.
How much input Rodgers had in shaping this project is unclear, and his name is not listed on the producing team. But one gets the sense that he must have needed to give the green light to everything on screen, because the episodes are devoid of any real critique of the man. This is especially apparent in the third part that explores his controversial views on vaccines and the COVID-19 pandemic. Even if you agree with Rodgers’ views, there are valid rebuttals to levy against them and the lack of meaningful discussion feels odd. Similarly, the subject makes a big ruckus about the media circus he needs to endure, but only a single throwaway line is dedicated to the man’s history of dating high-profile women, which played an undeniable factor in his public image.
Another puzzling choice is the doc’s heavy reliance on clips from Pat McAfee’s show. Rodgers and McAfee’s friendship is well-documented, but the sheer volume of McAfee footage borders on comical. For a documentary supposedly aimed at exploring one of the most complex figures in sports, it’s strange to see such limited input from other voices in the sports world.
There’s a compelling story to be told about Aaron Rodgers’ highs and lows, but this isn’t it, unless you are particularly interested in ayahuasca stories.
I give Aaron Rodgers: Enigma a C.
TV and City 