Jets, Aaron Rodgers denies QB’s role in Robert Saleh’s firing: ‘I’m upset by any of these accusations’

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

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

Meanwhile, Johnson called quarterback Aaron Rodgers on Monday night.

The timing of that conversation was coupled with some public disagreements between Rodgers and Saleh, and questions arose about the four-time MVP’s role in the firing.

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

“I resent any of these accusations because they are patently false,” Rodgers said. “It’s interesting how much power people think I have. Which I don’t like. I love Robert and that was one of those days yesterday.”

Rodgers thanked Saleh for his leadership during his nearly hour-long interview with McAfee, referring to Saleh as “a big reason I came to the Jets” and saying “we have a very strong relationship.”

He said there was “nothing abnormal” about Johnson calling him Monday night, noting that the team owner called him after 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, in which Rodgers broke 60,000 passing yards, and the blows he took, including an injury to his left ankle.

The two men said they did not discuss Saleh’s future, a decision they say is Johnson’s alone.

“Woody is under no obligation to tell me what his plans are,” Rodgers said. “Whether he knew what he was doing at that moment or not was irrelevant.”

Either way, his players will find out soon enough.

“Aaron probably took this harder than anyone else.”

Rodgers was receiving treatment at the facility Tuesday morning when the news alert arrived. Right tackle Morgan Moses was working it. Punter Thomas Morstead received a text message From his neighbor, who saw the alert before the 16-year veteran did.

The Player Leadership Council quickly met with team co-owners Woody and Chris Johnson, and Jeff Ulbrich subsequently joined amid his promotion from defensive coordinator to interim coach.

The Leadership Council held a players-only meeting before Ulbrich led the team meeting, and talks concluded depending on the position group.

Players emphasized accountability, reminding each other that their performance directly impacts each other’s job security. They have expressed their vulnerability amid what Morstead called “natural instability” when the head coach who defended several roster spots is no longer there.

“We hold each other’s jobs in our hands, so to speak,” Morstead said during a virtual interview on Wednesday. “We don’t just play for ourselves.”

Rodgers expressed his sorrow to Saleh’s wife and children as they dealt with the dismissal, especially Saleh’s son Adam, who Rodgers threw at during training camp.

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

The unusual timing and nature of Saleh’s dismissal and the subsequent players’ meeting were noted only by the players. The team did not go deep into the season and was eliminated from the playoffs. If they beat the Buffalo Bills in a home game Monday night, the Jets will be in first place in the AFC East. Their playoff goals are within reach and control of their playoff path could be realistic on Monday.

Tyler Conklin said Rodgers, Morstead and Moses were among those who shared that message at Tuesday’s players-only meeting.

Conklin also noted that Saleh’s dismissal “burdened on Rodgers’ shoulders,” convincing the players that narratives about his role in Saleh’s dismissal were misplaced.

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

“This is not true at all.”

What’s next for the Jets before a primetime matchup versus the Bills?

Neither Rodgers nor Moses answered one of the biggest remaining questions Wednesday: who will call the plays going forward for the Jets.

Hackett was heavily criticized for the Jets’ No. 27 offense.

Johnson made a coaching change because he believed his talent was capable of achieving more than what the coaches were extracting from him. The second-ranked defense was not the focus of that problem.

“We will make changes where changes are due,” Woody Johnson said Tuesday on a call with reporters. “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, whom he also coached with the Green Bay Packers.

“Our relationship is great,” Rodgers said of his offensive coordinator. “It always has been and it always will be. There will be some things that have to change no matter what happens to Robert. We haven’t played consistent football in attack. As we know the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”

“[Ulbrich] I have spoken many times. I support whatever he decides regarding crime. I want to do what’s best for the team. We support coach Ulbrich and whatever he thinks is best for the team, we will move forward with him.

“No, we haven’t,” Moses said. We have yet to be told who will call the plays as of Wednesday afternoon.

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

Rodgers said he was the first to need to play better after throwing three interceptions, including a pick 6, in the loss to the Vikings. “Great coaches have great players,” he said, and it’s time for his list to move up.

The extra day between games gave them time to process their emotions before they hope to turn their energies Thursday toward beating the Bills.

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

“But it won’t tear down our house if we build it back up right.”

Rodgers expressed his commitment to this goal.

“There will always be narratives and conversations about what I think and how much power I have and how much influence I have,” he said. “I care about my teammates, I care about winning. I’m accountable to myself, my organization and my teammates. I have to play better. I will. And we’re falling behind.” [Ulbrich] There will be some changes with this.

“This is the direction we’re going.”