Aaron Rodgers influence? Jets fire Robert Saleh after underwhelming 2-3 start to the season

Fans blame quarterback Aaron Rodgers for getting head coach Robert Saleh fired from the Jets following the 2-3 season start.

Aaron Rodgers influence? Jets fire Robert Saleh after underwhelming 2-3 start to the season

Aaron Rodgers blamed for Robert Saleh getting fired (Via Imago)

Breaking News: New York Jets have fired their head coach Robert Saleh after the season appears to be compromising at a 2-3 record. The news comes after their loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

After the collapse of last season, the Jets and the fans were assured that they wouldn’t witness such disaster in the 2024 season as Aaron Rodgers would return. However, there haven’t been any noticeable changes to the team’s offense as they stand in second place within the AFC East division. 

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But it appears that the team has recognized their shortcomings, as they decided to fire head coach Saleh midway through the season. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the news first, sharing that defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has been made the interim head coach until they find Saleh’s replacement. 

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I think they believe that they have a really good team. They think this team, especially in that division, can compete to win the division and it wasn’t performing the way that everybody expected.

Adam Schefter said on ESPN’s First Take about Saleh’s departure.

Since the Jets acquired Rodgers, Saleh has maintained a close relationship with him until week 3 of this season. The two were seen in a heated, awkward moment on the football field when the head coach stepped forward to hug the veteran quarterback on a touchdown but the latter pushed him away while giving a death stare. 

The influence that New York has granted the ten-time Pro Bowler within the organization is well known and considering his disagreements with Saleh since the past few weeks, all signs seem to suggest Rodgers might have been part of the decision.

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Fans blame Aaron Rodgers for getting Robert Saleh fired from the Jets

Saleh was already on the hot seat ahead of this season, but he wasn’t the only one sitting on it. The future of quarterback Rodgers and Offensive Coordinator Nathaniel Hackett was also said to be on the line. However, following a 23-17 loss at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings, it’s only Saleh parting ways with New York. 

Robert Saleh with Aaron Rodgers
Robert Saleh with Aaron Rodgers (Via NFL.com)

Fans have begin putting the blame on the four-time NFL MVP for getting head coach Saleh fired. One fan wrote, “Now Rodgers can be GM and head coach AND QB all at the same time,” while another spoke in Saleh’s defense writing, “He was absolutely not the problem.” Here are some of the fan reactions: 

Some claimed that the Jets are making space for legendary head coach Bill Belichick to add to the team. Though Saleh is responsible to a certain level for the disappointing start of the season for the Jets, fans asserted that he isn’t the only one to blame.