Jets and Aaron Rodgers deny QB's role in Robert Saleh firing: 'I reject all of these allegations'

The New York Jets returned home from England on Sunday evening with a 2-3 record.

Their leadership structure was intact until Monday, before team owner Woody Johnson fired head coach Robert Saleh on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Johnson called quarterback Aaron Rodgers on Monday night.

Combine the timing of that conversation with some public disagreements between Rodgers and Saleh, and questions began to emerge about the four-time MVP's role in the firing.

Rodgers called the allegations “ridiculous” on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Wednesday afternoon.

“I reject all of these allegations because they are patently false,” Rodgers said. “It’s interesting how much power people give me. Which I don't do. I love Robert and it was one of those days yesterday.”

Rodgers thanked Saleh for his leadership during his roughly hour-long interview with McAfee, calling Saleh a “big reason I came to the Jets” and saying, “We have a very solid relationship.”

He said “nothing was unusual” about Johnson's call Monday night, citing the team owner's call after his Achilles tendon surgery last year and during his rehabilitation process.

Johnson and Rodgers said they discussed Sunday's 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Rodgers' 60,000 yards passing and the hits he took, including one that sprained his left ankle.

Both men said they had not discussed Saleh's future, a decision that was Johnson's alone.

“Woody has no obligation to tell me his plans,” Rodgers said. “Whether he knew what he was doing at that moment didn’t matter.”

Either way, his players would soon find out.

“Aaron probably took this harder than anyone else.”

Rodgers was being treated at the facility Tuesday morning when the news report arrived. Right tackle Morgan Moses worked well. Punter Thomas Morstead received a text message from his neighbor who saw the warning about the 16-year veteran.

Soon the players' leadership council met with co-team owners Woody and Chris Johnson, with Jeff Ulbrich joining later while being promoted from defensive coordinator to interim coach.

The leadership council called a players-only meeting before Ulbrich led a team meeting and concluded discussions by position group.

Players emphasized responsibility and reminded each other that their performance directly impacts each other's job security. They expressed vulnerability in the face of what Morstead called “natural instability” when the head coach who championed many of their roster spots is no longer there.

“We kind of hold each other’s careers in our hands,” Morstead said during a virtual interview Wednesday. “We don’t just play for ourselves.”

Rodgers expressed regret for Saleh's wife and children as they struggled with the layoff, particularly Saleh's son Adam, whom Rodgers was with during training camp.

“There’s humanity in all of this,” Rodgers said. “There is family and extended family that is really hurting. So when you’re out there celebrating this, remember there’s a human aspect to it.”

Players noted the unusual timing and nature of Saleh's dismissal and subsequent players-only meeting. The team is not far into the season and was eliminated from the playoffs. If they beat the Buffalo Bills in a home game on Monday night, the Jets will be in first place in the AFC East. Their playoff goals are well within reach and control of their playoff path could be realistic as early as Monday.

Rodgers, Morstead and Moses were among those who shared that message in Tuesday's players-only meeting, tight end Tyler Conklin said.

Conklin also pointed out that Saleh's firing “weighed heavily on Rodgers” and further convinced players that the narratives about his role in Saleh's firing were misplaced.

“Aaron probably took this harder than anyone else,” Conklin said. “One of the main reasons he came here was coach Saleh and (offensive coordinator Nathaniel) Hackett – the roster they put together and what coach Saleh built here.

“That’s not true at all.”

What's next for the Jets ahead of the prime time game against the Bills?

Neither Rodgers nor Moses answered one of the biggest remaining questions Wednesday: Who will dictate the Jets' plays going forward?

Hackett has come under fire for the Jets' 27th-ranked offense.

Johnson made a coaching change because he believed his talent was capable of more than his coaches were producing. The secondary defense was not the focus of this issue.

“We will make changes wherever changes are due,” Woody Johnson said on a call with reporters on Tuesday. “We know where we are weak and where we are strong. And so do you.”

Rodgers said he would support the changes recommended by Ulbrich when asked about Hackett, who also coached him with the Green Bay Packers.

“Our relationship is great,” Rodgers said of his offensive coordinator. “It has always been that way and will always be that way. There would be some things that had to change regardless of what happened to Robert. We just didn't play consistent football on offense. As we know, the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

“(Ulbrich) and I spoke a few times. As for the offense, I agree with his decision. I want to do the best for the team. We support coach Ulbrich and will do whatever he thinks is best for the team.”

Moses said, “No, we haven't,” but there has been no word yet on who will be calling the games starting Wednesday afternoon.

“But as a veteran and in multiple systems, it doesn’t matter what play is called or who calls plays,” Moses said. “It’s up to us to go out there and make those plays.”

Rodgers said he was the first to have to play better after throwing three interceptions, including a pick 6, in the loss to the Vikings. He said, “Great coaches have great players,” and it was time that his squad will be increased.

The extra day between games gave them time to process their emotions before they hope to focus their energy on beating the Bills on Thursday.

“It was definitely a wake-up call and an eye-opener for a lot of people,” linebacker CJ Mosley said. “We had a crack in our foundation. It may have had a trickle-down effect.

“But it won’t tear down our house if we rebuild it properly.”

Rodgers expressed his commitment to that goal.

“There will always be narratives and conversations about what I think and how much power and influence I have,” he said. “I care about my teammates, I care about winning. I am accountable to myself, my organization and my teammates. I have to play better. I will. And we're getting behind (Ulbrich) and there will be some changes.

“That’s the direction we’re going to go.”