New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers has strongly rebuked suggestions he was involved in the decision to fire head coach Robert Saleh.
The Jets stunned the NFL world on Tuesday by dismissing Saleh from his post just two days after the team’s 23-17 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Saleh’s departure came despite the Jets sitting at 2-3 and by no means out of the playoff picture just five weeks in the the 2024 season.
What’s more, Saleh’s defense is currently ranked second in total yards, second in passing, 14th in rushing and seventh in scoring as one of the league’s best units in contrast to an offense ranked bottom 10 in total yards, rushing and scoring.
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The GMFB team analyses head coach Robert Saleh’s sacking by the New York Jets
Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show on Wednesday, Rodgers denied having any involvement in Saleh’s exit.
“As far as any of the ridiculous allegations out there, I’m not going to spend more than one sentence in response to it, and that is I resent any of those accusations because they’re patently false,” Rodgers said. “It’s interesting the amount of power people think I have, which I don’t. But I love Robert.”
“Yesterday was a day that reminds you of the simple fact that all of us who play know too well, and that’s that it’s a tough business.
“I love coach Saleh, we have a very solid relationship, we have since I met him in 2021 and had a nice conversation when they came and visited us for joint practices. He was a big reason why I came to the Jets.”
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Highlights of the New York Jets against the Minnesota Vikings in Week Five of the NFL season from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Saleh was appointed Jets head coach in 2021 following his time as defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers, and departs with a 20-36 record without making the playoffs.
Hopes of ending the Jets’ postseason drought spiked in 2023 upon the arrival of Rodgers via trade from the Green Bay Packers, only for the four-time MVP quarterback to suffer a year-ending Achilles injury four plays into his debut. Saleh’s side would ultimately finish 7-10 after struggling on offense behind quarterback Zach Wilson.
Upon Rodgers’ return this season, the Jets opened the campaign in defeat to the 49ers before beating the Tennessee Titans and New England Patriots amid signs of Saleh’s team finding their feet on offense. A setback followed in the form of an ugly 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos, before Rodgers became the latest victim to Brian Flores and his high-flying Vikings defense.
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Speaking on Inside the Huddle, Neil Reynolds and Jeff Reinebold analyse Rodgers’ performance against Minnesota and what went wrong for the Jets
Rodgers noted on Wednesday that Jets owner Woody Johnson had called him the evening before Saleh’s firing, but only to check in on the ankle injury sustained in London on Sunday.
“Woody has no obligation to let me know what his plans are,” explained Rodgers. “I just appreciate the call that he was checking on me. It was like a friend call.”
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