Aaron Rodgers and Robert Saleh: Was Rodgers Behind the Jets' Coaching Shakeup?

The NFL world was rocked by the sudden firing of New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh, just five games into the 2024 season. As fans and analysts processed the shocking move, many began pointing fingers at star quarterback Aaron Rodgers, speculating that he may have played a role in Saleh’s abrupt exit.

Robert Saleh’s departure caught many off guard, but for those paying close attention, cracks in the relationship between the coach and quarterback may have been visible weeks earlier. One of the key moments fueling the speculation came during Week 3 of the season, where an unusual sideline interaction between the two raised eyebrows across the league.

In the now-viral moment, Saleh was seen gripping Rodgers’ shoulders while seemingly trying to communicate with him. Rodgers, in response, appeared to push away and glare at the coach. The clip quickly made rounds on social media, with many wondering if the incident hinted at deeper tensions between the two. Hailey Sutton of CBS Sports HQ noted the moment on social media, commenting, “Maybe this was more telling than we thought.”

Theories around Rodgers’ involvement in Saleh’s firing gained momentum, especially after sports commentator Stephen A. Smith shared his own thoughts on the matter. During an episode of *First Take*, Smith remarked that the relationship between Rodgers and Saleh had been suspect for a while, despite both dismissing any notions of discord after the viral moment. “The coach says one thing, Aaron Rodgers says another. You just say to yourself, ‘Something is not right with this picture,’” Smith said. He went on to explain that the firing didn’t surprise him at all, implying that Rodgers’ influence on the team might have played a role.

Shannon Sharpe also weighed in on the situation, bringing attention to Rodgers’ absence from the Jets’ mandatory minicamp earlier in the year. Rodgers, who was reportedly vacationing in Egypt at the time, skipped the camp, raising questions about his commitment. Sharpe pointed out that this move may have undermined Saleh’s authority from the start. “The moment Aaron Rodgers did that, Robert Saleh had no control,” Sharpe said, adding that the optics for Rodgers weren’t good. He even compared the situation to how Tom Brady would have handled it, emphasizing that Brady, late in his career, wouldn’t have gotten a coach fired like this. Sharpe concluded by stating that Rodgers, once seen as a "bad man" on the field, might be causing more harm than good for the Jets.

On the local front, WFAN radio host Brandon Tierney echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that the relationship between Rodgers and Saleh might have been even worse than what was portrayed publicly. According to Tierney, there may have been more behind-the-scenes tension than most people realized.

Saleh’s firing came after the Jets dropped their second straight game in London against the Minnesota Vikings. In that game, Rodgers struggled, throwing three interceptions as the Jets fell 23-17. This loss followed an equally disappointing 10-9 defeat at home against the Denver Broncos, where the Jets failed to score a touchdown. Both games showcased the Jets’ offensive struggles, and after such performances, it became clear that changes were needed.

Adding fuel to the fire, Saleh and Rodgers publicly disagreed on how to address the team’s issues, particularly regarding pre-snap penalties. Saleh had suggested that Rodgers’ cadence might be contributing to the problem, but Rodgers had a different take, suggesting that accountability among the players was the solution. “That’s one way to do it,” Rodgers said in response to Saleh’s comment, “The other way is to hold them accountable.”

Following Saleh’s dismissal, Jets owner Woody Johnson released a statement, acknowledging that the decision was difficult but necessary. “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 said. The team announced that defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich would serve as the interim head coach while they look for a permanent replacement.

As the Jets prepare to host the Buffalo Bills in a high-stakes Monday night matchup, the attention will no doubt remain on Rodgers and how the team fares without Saleh at the helm. Whether or not Rodgers was directly involved in Saleh’s firing, the situation highlights the power dynamics within NFL teams and raises questions about how much influence star players like Rodgers have over the coaching staff.

The Jets’ season is far from over, but the departure of their head coach just five games in will certainly be a defining moment. Whether this decision will ultimately help or hurt the team remains to be seen. For now, all eyes will be on Aaron Rodgers as he leads the Jets into the next chapter.