Aaron Rodgers insisted he performed no position 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 staff obtained off to a 2-3 begin within the coach’s fourth season.
Earlier this season, Rodgers was pressured to disclaim there was stress between himself and Saleh, and there was hypothesis that he might have had a hand in influencing Johnson, who stated on Tuesday the choice was “my resolution and my resolution 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 stated. “And that’s I resent any of these accusations as a result of they’re patently false. And it’s fascinating the quantity of energy that folks suppose that I’ve, which I don’t.”
Rodgers confirmed he spoke to Johnson on Monday evening throughout a “good name,” however stated 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 stated there was no discuss of Saleh’s future.
“Woody has no obligation to let me know what his plans are,” Rodgers stated. “I simply appreciated the decision that he was checking on me.”
Rodgers stated the transfer to fireside Saleh was a reminder of how soccer “is a tricky enterprise” and there’s a human facet to choices equivalent to this. He cited Saleh’s household, together with one of many coach’s seven youngsters with whom he grew shut in the course of the staff’s practices. Rodgers additionally reiterated he and Saleh weren’t at odds.
“I really like Coach Saleh,” Rodgers stated. “We’ve a really strong relationship. … He was a giant motive why I got here to the Jets.”
The four-time NFL MVP was acquired by New York in April 2023 from Inexperienced Bay. Together 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 comparable aspirations, however a two-game skid and inconsistent play by Rodgers and the offense had Johnson involved the staff was headed within the unsuitable course.
Rodgers spoke usually in regards to the gamers taking accountability, himself included. “I’ve obtained to play higher – I’ll,” Rodgers insisted. “We’ve obtained quite a bit to play for.”
The Jets play the Buffalo Payments on Monday evening at residence 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 stated the staff is embracing Ulbrich and reiterated a few of 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 robust relationship from their time collectively in Inexperienced Bay. However the quarterback stated he’s “on board” with no matter modifications Ulbrich makes.