8 wild reactions from sports media to Robert Saleh’s firing from the Jets and Aaron Rodgers’ role

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: When the New York Jets decided to pull the plug on head coach Robert Saleh’s tenure, it sent shockwaves across the NFL world. The announcement came early Tuesday, October 8, after just five games into the 2024 season, and naturally, the media went into full-on Defcon 1 mode.

It was one of those moments where you could almost hear the collective gasp from NFL fans, analysts, and reporters alike.

Robert Saleh firing: A move no one saw coming

Jets owner Woody Johnson is known for many things, but firing a coach mid-season has never been one of them. Not even Adam Gase, who wasn’t exactly beloved by fans or analysts, met that fate. But here we are, five games into a season that was supposed to be the Jets’ big comeback and Johnson made the bold call to let Saleh go.

And with Aaron Rodgers — the 40-year-old star quarterback leading the offense — expectations were sky-high. The Jets were supposed to be contenders. Instead, they started 2-3 and it just wasn’t going to cut it for Johnson.

Johnson didn’t mince words about why he made the decision either, saying the team wasn’t "where we should be given our expectations." The Jets had a loaded defense and a future Hall of Fame quarterback, and yet something wasn’t clicking. So, in came the axe and out went Saleh.

It’s almost impossible not to feel a little sympathy for Saleh, who has had his fair share of mistakes but was likely just starting to warm up.

Furthermore, let’s not pretend this is all on Saleh. The Jets' offense in 2023 when Rodgers was sidelined was abysmal. They ranked fourth-worst in scoring and second-worst in total offense. Fast forward to 2024, they weren’t doing much better despite having Rodgers on the field.

Five games into the season, they’re 27th in both scoring and total offense. Not exactly the stats you’d expect with Rodgers running the show, and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett behind the play-calling. Regardless, this might’ve been the final nail in the coffin for Saleh.

Aaron Rodgers conspiracy theories and other reactions

Of course, when something this dramatic happens, conspiracy theories aren’t far behind. In this case, many eyes turned to Aaron Rodgers. Is he the puppet master pulling the strings behind the scenes?

It’s a theory that’s definitely making the rounds. Remember that awkward non-hug between Rodgers and Saleh a couple of weeks ago? People aren’t letting that one go anytime soon.

Sportswriter Dan Le Batard wasted no time diving into "Aaron Rodgers Conspiracy Land," suggesting that Rodgers might have had a hand in Saleh’s firing.

But there’s one glaring problem with that theory: Hackett — Rodgers' guy and offensive coordinator — wasn’t the one who got the interim head coach gig. That honor went to defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. So, maybe Rodgers isn’t quite the puppet master everyone thinks he is—or maybe he’s just playing the long game. Who knows?

Meanwhile, social media had a field day with the news and some of the reactions were absolute gold, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

"Wow. Saleh falls on the sword for Aaron Rodgers and Nathaniel Hackett," Mile High Sports lead reporter Cody Roark posted on X.

Over at Barstool Sports, Kevin Clancy joked that "Aaron Rodgers about to hire RFK to be Jets head coach."

Then there’s Jimmy Traina from Sports Illustrated, who wrote: "What a windfall for Pat McAfee who gets to interview Aaron Rodgers about why he fired Robert Saleh in a few hours."

McAfee’s interview with Rodgers has become must-watch content for anyone interested in the quarterback’s thoughts on... well, anything. You can only imagine how juicy the next interview will be after this bombshell firing.

Enter Bill Belichick?

If that wasn’t enough, there’s a delicious twist to this whole saga: the rumor mill is now churning out speculation about Bill Belichick possibly returning to coach the Jets. For those who don’t remember, Belichick was actually supposed to be the Jets' head coach back in 2000, but he quit after one day on the job and bolted for New England.

The Jets eventually traded a first-round pick to the Patriots for him, and the rest is history - six Super Bowl rings later, to be precise. So, could Belichick really come back to where it all began?

Sports betting firm DraftKings was already teasing the idea, posting on X: "Bill Belichick to the Jets soon 👀."

NFL writer Gary Myers wasn’t afraid to say what a lot of people are thinking, either.

"I know this will likely never happen because Bill Belichick hates the Jets, but I think Woody Johnson at least has to make the phone call," Myers commented. "The chance to coach Aaron Rodgers, who Belichick admires, on a win-now team, combined with Woody's money, could smooth things over.

"Belichick needs 15 victories to pass Don Shula for winningest coach all time. He also needs one Super Bowl victory to prove it wasn't all Tom Brady in New England. The Jets would give him both those opportunities," he added.

Former NFL star Kevin Clark quipped, "Everyone always says Bill Belichick wouldn't coach the team because he hates the Jets, but doesn't hating the Jets mean you're a true, real deal Jets fan?"

The live reactions to Robert Saleh's firing were just as interesting. On First Take, things got especially spicy when Adam Schefter called in from his car and Stephen A Smith dropped a bombshell of his own.

Smith recounted a conversation with an unnamed comedian friend, who didn’t hold back in comparing Jets owner Woody Johnson to former Clippers owner Donald Sterling. "Woody Johnson is Donald Sterling without the racism," Smith said, quoting his friend.

With Saleh gone and the rumors swirling, it feels like the Jets are on the verge of something big - or maybe just another classic Jets meltdown. Either way, everybody will be glued to whatever happens next. And if Aaron Rodgers does that Tuesday interview with Pat McAfee? Oh, you better believe it’s going to be one for the ages. Buckle up, Jets fans.