Columbus, OH – Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski has responded to recent media criticism directed at the franchise. In a recent podcast, Bill Simmons, a well-known sports media figure and founder of The Ringer, labeled the Blue Jackets as the "most irrelevant franchise in professional sports". This assessment has stirred conversation around the NHL, prompting reactions from within the Blue Jackets organization.

Simmons, during a mailbag segment, was discussing potentially uninteresting teams across various sports leagues. While considering teams like the Chicago Bulls and Cincinnati Reds, he ultimately singled out the Blue Jackets as the most irrelevant, stating, "I haven't heard a single conversation about the Blue Jackets. Now, granted, I don't have a ton of hockey fans in my life, but I have never heard a single convo about them".

Werenski, a key player and face of the franchise, addressed Simmons' comments on Thursday. "Yeah, it doesn't matter," Werenski said. "It is what it is, I guess, right? I'm not going to lose sleep over it. I like Columbus, I like playing there, and I don't care what Bill Simmons has to say".

The 28-year-old defenseman has spent his entire NHL career with the Blue Jackets, demonstrating his commitment to the team and the city. Werenski signed a six-year, $57.5 million contract extension that secures his place with the team through the 2027-28 season.

Werenski's response reflects a focused attitude amidst external criticism. Despite not being a highly competitive team while rebuilding their roster, the Blue Jackets are determined to improve.

This isn't the first time a Blue Jackets player has had to respond to critical comments. In December 2024, forward Patrik Laine, then with the Montreal Canadiens, stated that part of the reason he requested a trade from Columbus was due to a "losers mentality" within the team. Laine suggested that players were too quick to give up when the season became challenging.

Werenski responded to Laine's remarks at the time, saying, "We were nothing but good teammates to him... for him to bash us like that, I think it's unacceptable". He added, "Definitely not happy about it. None of us in this room are happy about it. I think it speaks more about him than it does about us".

These incidents highlight the pressures faced by players and teams in professional sports and how they navigate public perception while striving for success.