Charles Barkley is making one thing clear as he embarks on what he insists will be his final year on TV: he won’t be following Aaron Rodgers‘ playbook on his way out.
During a recent appearance on Adam Schein’s Mad Dog Sports Radio show to kick off the 2026–27 NBA season, the 63-year-old Inside the NBA analyst was asked about his ongoing retirement claims.
When Schein compared his current media run to Rodgers’ NFL farewell tour, Barkley drew a firm line between himself and the 42-year-old quarterback.
“I’m not gonna bury everybody going out the door like Aaron,” Barkley said on the episode. “I’m not gonna burn every bridge and talk bad about all my exes on my way out the door like he’s doing.”
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Barkley’s remark referenced Rodgers’ recent appearance on Cam Heyward‘s Not Just Football podcast, where the quarterback made headlines by calling out former partners Shailene Woodley and Danica Patrick along with former Green Bay Packers teammates Greg Jennings and Jermichael Finley.
This isn’t the first time he has taken aim at the NFL star. Back in January 2024, Barkley bluntly declared during aCBS Morningssegment that he would have “punched Aaron Rodgers in the face” after the quarterback implied Jimmy Kimmel was associated with Jeffrey Epstein.
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While Barkley joked he won’t be taking shots at personal exes, the outspoken analyst has never shied away from criticizing corporate higher-ups. Ever since TNT Sports lost its NBA broadcast rights, Barkley has openly aired his grievances against the network executives.
Sports fans and media insiders alike have pointed out a distinction between the two farewell tours: while Rodgers’ retirement is expected to be his final ride, few actually believe Barkley is hanging it up for good.
On social media, fans have reacted to the potential end of Barkley’s broadcast era, with some even speculating on who could fill his shoes. One user on X shared a post that said: “I can’t even think about Barkley being gone. It really, really bums me out. He’s such a lovable doofus and Blake [Griffin] def doesn’t have that vibe. (IMO!)” Underneath that post, another user commented: “Charles has said this year is his last like 5 years in a row now so who knows if he really will.”
While Barkley has teased retirement for years, he has returned for lucrative broadcasting deals and his latest exit tour comes with skepticism from viewers wondering if he will find a way back to the mic.
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