Aaron Rodgers on Robert Saleh’s Jets Firing: ‘If I Play Better, This Doesn’t Happen’

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVOctober 10, 2024

Mario Hommes/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

Aaron Rodgers highlighted his own struggles when discussing what put the New York Jets in a position to fire head coach Robert Saleh.

“The idea of manifestation involves attention and intention,” he told reporters Thursday. “The word that goes along with that is accountability. We need to be accountable to each other. When something like this happens, it’s a reset for everybody. … If I play better, this doesn’t happen. We play better, on offense, this doesn’t happen. I think it puts a spotlight on us.”

Jets Videos @snyjets”The idea of manifestation involves attention and intention. The word that goes along with that is accountability.”

Aaron Rodgers says “if I play better, this doesn’t happen” when talking about Robert Saleh’s firing pic.twitter.com/oJhGoHISDs

On the one hand, Rodgers is 40 years old and coming off a significant Achilles injury that cost him all but a handful of snaps in the 2023 season.

On the other hand, he is an all-time great who is expected to elevate a Jets offense that has talented pieces in Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson, among others. That has not happened to this point in 2024, as the team is 2-3 and 27th in the league in yards per game (286.6) and 25th in points per game (18.6).

The overall struggles culminated in a 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in England on Sunday, which ended up being Saleh’s final game as the head coach.

Rodgers threw three interceptions, one of which came on New York’s final drive when it had the opportunity to win it.

NFL @NFLSTEPHON GILMORE SEALS THE WIN WITH A PICK.#NYJvsMIN pic.twitter.com/3Li9D2uZw1

It was easy for some to speculate that Rodgers might have played a role in the organization’s decision to move on from Saleh given some of the seemingly icy interactions between the two and his status as a star player, but his latest comments came after he refuted such speculation during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show.

“As far as any of the ridiculous allegations out there, I’m not going to spend more than one sentence in response to it,” he said. “And that is that I resent any of those accusations because they’re patently false. It’s interesting the amount of power that people think that I have. Which I don’t. I love Robert.”

Pat McAfee @PatMcAfeeShow”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..

I resent any of those accusations because they are patently false” ~ @AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive https://t.co/jHz7zDLnto pic.twitter.com/wrRzN9Rnd1

Firing Saleh wasn’t the only change for the Jets, as interim coach Jeff Ulbrich announced Thursday he stripped the play-calling duties from offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and instead gave him an undisclosed role.

Such a decision was notable because Rodgers previously worked with Hackett on the Green Bay Packers and has a close relationship with the coach.

Perhaps it will provide a much-needed spark for the struggling Jets offense, which is now looking ahead to a key divisional contest against the Buffalo Bills on Monday.