Aaron Rodgers insisted he performed no function within the firing of Robert Saleh because the New York Jets coach and known as such allegations “patently false.”
The quarterback made his weekly look on The Pat McAfee Present on Wednesday, a day after Jets proprietor Woody Johnson fired Saleh after the workforce received off to a 2-3 begin within the coach’s fourth season.
Earlier this season, Rodgers was pressured to disclaim there was rigidity between himself and Saleh, and there was hypothesis that he might have had a hand in influencing Johnson, who mentioned on Tuesday the choice was “my determination and my determination alone.”
“So far as any of the ridiculous allegations on the market, I’m not going to spend a couple of sentence in response to it,” Rodgers mentioned. “And that’s I resent any of these accusations as a result of they’re patently false. And it’s attention-grabbing the quantity of energy that individuals suppose that I’ve, which I don’t.”
Rodgers confirmed he spoke to Johnson on Monday evening throughout a “good name,” however mentioned the proprietor merely requested him how he was feeling after spraining an ankle within the Jets’ loss to Minnesota in London on Sunday. Johnson and Rodgers mentioned there was no speak of Saleh’s future.
“Woody has no obligation to let me know what his plans are,” Rodgers mentioned. “I simply appreciated the decision that he was checking on me.”
Rodgers mentioned the transfer to fireside Saleh was a reminder of how soccer “is a troublesome enterprise” and there’s a human side to choices akin to this. He cited Saleh’s household, together with one of many coach’s seven youngsters with whom he grew shut through the workforce’s practices. Rodgers additionally reiterated he and Saleh weren’t at odds.
“I like Coach Saleh,” Rodgers mentioned. “We’ve a really stable relationship. … He was a giant purpose why I got here to the Jets.”
The four-time NFL MVP was acquired by New York in April 2023 from Inexperienced Bay. Along with his arrival got here Tremendous Bowl expectations, however Rodgers tore his achilles tendon 4 snaps into his debut final season – and the Jets completed 7-10 with out him.
New York entered this season with related aspirations, however a two-game skid and inconsistent play by Rodgers and the offense had Johnson involved the workforce was headed within the fallacious course.
Rodgers spoke typically concerning the gamers taking accountability, himself included. “I’ve received to play higher – I’ll,” Rodgers insisted. “We’ve received rather a lot to play for.”
The Jets play the Buffalo Payments on Monday evening at house and a victory would give them a share of first place within the AFC East.
Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich would be the Jets’ interim head coach the remainder of the season. Rodgers mentioned the workforce is embracing Ulbrich and reiterated among the coach’s feedback on Tuesday that there must be some change shifting ahead with new management.
Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett’s standing as the first play caller is unsure. Hackett and Rodgers have a powerful relationship from their time collectively in Inexperienced Bay. However the quarterback mentioned he’s “on board” with no matter adjustments Ulbrich makes.