Aaron Rodgers breaks silence on his involvement in Robert Saleh firing

Aaron Rodgers denies having played a part in Robert Saleh's firing as the Jets' head coach.

Aaron Rodgers breaks silence on his involvement in Robert Saleh firing

Robert Saleh and Aaron Rodgers (Image via Imago)

The New York Jets shocked their fanbase after the team announced its decision to part ways with head coach Robert Saleh through 5 weeks of the 2024 NFL season. The disappointing 2-3 start was seen as the reason for the firing. Following this announcement, the speculations that Aaron Rodgers played a part in the team’s decision to let Saleh go arose.

He began to be painted as the bad guy in this fiasco. However, Aaron Rodgers spoke his truth and cleared the air on the Jets’ decision to part ways with Robert Saleh. Making his weekly appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers denied having anything to do with the team’s decision.

I resent any of those accusations because they’re patently false.

Aaron Rodgers claimed
YouTube video

Aaron Rodgers was unhappy about the rumors that indicted him to be a key part of the Jets’ decision to fire Robert Saleh.

FS Video

As far as any of the ridiculous allegations that are out there, I’m not gonna spend more than one sentence in response to it…it is interesting the amount of power that people think that I have, which I don’t but I love Robert and it was one of those days…

Aaron Rodgers added

The quarterback made it clear that the decision was taken by the ownership, and he was not consulted in the process. Aaron Rodgers found out about Saleh’s firing at the same time as the public.

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Aaron Rodgers’ involvement was suspected following Woody Johnson’s statement

The reason Rodgers was suspected to have played a part in Saleh’s firing was because of the team owner Woody Johnson‘s comment that he had met with the quarterback on Monday night. One day later, the team announced it was going to be moving on at the head coaching position. Johnson did clarify that Rodgers had no input in the decision-making process.

New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh and Aaron Rodgers were never buddies
Aaron Rodgers denies having played a part in Robert Saleh’s firing (Image via Imago)

Despite his claims, this does induce a sense of suspicion and speculation in the minds of fans. The timing, albeit coincidental was too close.

Throughout the season, there have been mixed feelings concerning Aaron Rodgers’ relationship with Robert Saleh. It started in Week 3, when the quarterback pushed the head coach back as he was approaching him for a hug as the Jets were beating the Patriots. This incident led fans to believe that Rodgers has a shaky relationship with Saleh.

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However, the quarterback cleared the air on that in his press conference. Rodgers claimed it was only a friendly ‘push’.

He’s not a big hugger, usually. So, I didn’t know he was going for the hug. He likes to do the two-hand chest push as well. But he talks a lot about two-score leads. So, I kind of just gave him a push and said ‘two-score lead.’ That’s what happened.

Aaron Rodgers said

With Robert Saleh gone, the reigns of the Jets franchise fall in the hands of Jeff Ulbrich. It remains to be seen if he can unlock the potential of this team and turn things around in a short period.