A breakdown of Aaron Rodgers Role in Robert Saleh's Firing

By Trevor Speetzen October 14, 2024 12:31

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After a 2-3 start to begin the 2024 season, the New York Jets fired head coach Robert Saleh after four seasons together. Saleh finished with a record of 20-36 over the course of his four seasons.

Speculation quickly grew about Aaron Rodgers involvement with Saleh’s firing. On Monday night, the day before Saleh’s firing, Jets owner Woody Johnson met with Aaron Rodgers.

Another take on the Rodgers-Saleh relationship came into light after the head coach’s firing. During week three against the New England Patriots, Rogers rejected a hug from Saleh after he came off the field. The incident seemed to be an indicator for fans regarding their relationship.

In response to these reports, Johnson told reporters in a conference call that Rodgers had no input into the decision to fire Saleh. Johnson would reiterate that he was the only one that made the decision and no one else had any input.

Johnson claims that he only gave Rodgers a head’s up about his decision.

Aaron Rodgers appeared on the Pat McAfee show on Wednesday, the day after Saleh’s firing, and discussed his relationship with his former head coach.

"Rob and I have a great relationship," Rodgers said on the Pat McAfee Show. "We have since day one when I got here. We have text message conversations, threads that we’re in, conversations about a number of different topics outside of football. We have a good friendship."

Rodgers went on to explain the hug incident in week three against the Patriots. He told McAfee on his show that Saleh wasn’t a big hugger and didn’t know that Saleh was going in for the hug.

It seems that after his appearance on McAfee’s show, Rodgers had no say in Saleh’s firing and claimed the two had a great relationship. Rodgers went to claim that he met Saleh in 2021 and was a big reason why Rodgers came to the Jets in 2023.

If Rodgers had no input on Saleh’s firing, then what is the ‘real’ reason behind Johnson’s decision?

Woody Johnson released a brief statement explaining his decision to fire Saleh after five games into the season. Johnson explained in his statement that the team wasn’t meeting expectations with Saleh at the helm after entering the year with such high hopes.

“This morning, I informed Robert Saleh that he will no longer serve as the Head Coach of the Jets,” Johnson said in his statement. “I thanked him for his hard work these past three-and-a-half years and wished him and his family well moving forward. This was not an easy decision, but we are not where we should be given our expectations, and I believe now is the best time for us to move in a different direction.”

Johnson then promoted Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich as the team’s interim head coach. Johnson also demoted offensive coordinator Nathanial Hackett and gave the play calling duties to passing game coordinator Tood Downing.

Ulbrich and Downing’s first game in their new positions will occur in week six against the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football on Oct.14.